Browse New CE

I.V. ROUNDS: What You Should Know About Drug Compatibility

Previous Survey
Do you use sliding insulin dosage scales?

Dear %%$first%%,

Despite the attention given to pain assessments and pain management, many patients continue to experience pain. From 1990 to 2006, vignette surveys of nurses have revealed that the administration of pain medication is often based on the personal opinions of the nurse, rather than the level of pain reported by the patient. Nurses may base decisions on whether or not the patient looks like he is in pain, regardless of the pain rating scale.

It is important to remember that all patients behave differently when experiencing pain. Even a smiling patient can be in severe pain.

PAIN POINTERS: Spine-Tingling Pain Relief CONTROLLING PAIN: Assessing Complex Pain Behaviors PAIN CONTROL: Nurses' Decisions about Opioid Dose Keep Your Patient Safe during PCA Epidural Analgesia in the Critically Ill Understanding of the Concept of Total Pain: A Prerequisite for Pain Control

Read the latest articles about pain assessment and treatment by exploring the articles in NursingCenter’s "More Resources."

Don't miss our next issue about safe patient transfers, plus recent articles and CEs.

Lisa Bonsall, MSN, RN, CRNP
Clinical Editor

Brush up on ways to keep patients who are status-post CABG free of complications by examining Caring for a Patient after Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery.
(2 contact hours) Nursing2008

Are restraints "the rule rather than the exception" where you work? Find ways of Avoiding Restraints in Patients with Dementia.
(2.5 contact hours) AJN, American Journal of Nursing

Colorectal cancer is the third cause of cancer deaths in both men and women in the U.S. Understand the importance of Conquering Colorectal Cancer.
(2 contact hours) Nursing Made Incredibly Easy!

Learn how to apply best practices for managing heart failure by reading Taking Aim at Heart Failure.
(2 contact hours) LPN2008

Our Recommended CEs include relieving the pain of herniated disk, innovations in blood pressure monitoring, and more.

Review factors affecting the chemical compatibility of an I.V. drug or solution and read up on some of the basics to help you avoid incompatibility issues. Be sure to read I.V. ROUNDS: What You Should Know About Drug Compatibility.
Nursing2008

Have you ever told a patient to "just relax" or "here's your pain medicine"? If so, "try" to read 'Just Breathe Normally': Six Language Traps and How to Avoid Them.
AJN, American Journal of Nursing

Learn step-by-step instructions for performing blood glucose testing from the palm in PEAK TECHNIQUE: Palms Up For Glucose Monitoring.
Nursing Made Incredibly Easy!

If you're a new nurse, you'll appreciate this advice for getting started in your career. If you're an experienced nurse, it's always good to remember some basic pointers. Be sure to read PRACTICAL MATTERS: Tips for New Nurses.
LPN2008

Browse our Recommended Readings on case manager -- a career opportunity for men in nursing, improving hospital nursing work environments...

Read the articles in the latest Featured Journal online only on NursingCenter. The Featured Journal gives you the opportunity to get acquainted with the kind of coverage and clinical information the journal has to offer. Get to know our journals. The current Featured Journal is...

It is rare to come across a patient who doesn't have stress! Help patients understand what stress is and when to seek treatment. Remember the following basics that are positive about stress:

• Stress can help protect you from danger.
  
• Stress can alert you to a problem.
• Stress can help you meet a challenge.
  

Read about when stress is "bad" and print out this guide for patients: PATIENT EDUCATION SERIES: Getting a Grip on Stress.

Variability of dosing methods contributes to the risk of pump programming errors. Reduce the risk of IV infusion dosing errors by considering the following:

• Work with a multidisciplinary team to standardize dosing methods for certain medications.
  
• Use smart pumps with functional dosage error-reduction software.
  
• Display drug information on the drug label and medication administration record the same way it is needed to program the pump.
  
• Verify dosing methods and pump settings.
  
• Consider the possibility of an error if the appropriate physiologic response to a medication doesn't occur.
  

For more information about medication errors, Click here.

Ready for a career move? Take stock of your professional situation by evaluating six important factors outlined in Life at the Crossroads. Stop by the Job Center and search for jobs that interest you.

Also visit our Featured Facilities and Insiders for career information.

Email this NursingCenter eNews to your colleagues and invite them to join now. They, too, will receive great content as well as free articles and discount offers available only to subscribers.

Want to make sure that you keep receiving NursingCenter eNews? Be sure to add [email protected] to your address book!

NursingCenter respects your privacy and will not share your information with other companies or organizations without your permission. View our Privacy Policy.

If you no longer wish to receive NursingCenter eNews, click on the "Unsubscribe" link below.

Forgotten your username or password? Please contact Customer Service at [email protected].