Nursing Tips
- The QRS complex in bundle branch block is 0.12 second or greater because the ventricles aren't depolarized simultaneously.
- If a patient is frightened or ticklish, begin palpation of the abdomen with your hand on top of his or her hand.
- When assessing mental status, be sure to ask questions that require more than a yes or no answer.
- ABG analysis...pH less than 7.35=acidosis (more Acid), pH greater than 7.45=alkalosis (more Base)...*A* before *B*
- When measuring pulse rate, if the rhythm is irregular or the patient has a pacemaker, count the beats for a full minute.
- At start of shift, tell patient what is expected to occur and what treatments & procedures are planned.
- Abdominal angina = abdominal pain in which perfusion to digestive tissue has been compromised; usually due to mesenteric atherosclerosis
- Extravasation = the infiltration of a vesicant drug from an I.V. line into surrounding tissue
- 5 A’s for treating tobacco use & dependence: Ask, Advise, Assess, Assist, Arrange follow-up
- Nimodipine (Nimotop) capsules should be given only by mouth or through an NG tube and never by I.V. administration
- Communication technique -Clarification - For example, "I'm not sure I understood what you said."
- When thyroid gland is hypoactive, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level is high; when overactive, TSH level is low.
- Acute hemolytic transfusion reactions can occur anytime during transfusion, but usually appear within the first 5-15 min
- Take the lead to inspire teamwork - pitch in and help your colleagues. Perhaps others will follow your lead!
- A vein that's suitable for venipuncture should feel soft, elastic, and engorged—not hard, bumpy, or flat.
- Adduction = move limb toward body's midline. Abduction = move limb away from midline.
- In renal failure, the kidneys are no longer able to excrete potassium, resulting in hyperkalemia.
- To remember the location of the adrenal glands, think ADD RENAL. They're "added" to the renal organs, the kidneys.
- Don't forget common courtesy - introduce yourself to patients and identify yourself as a nurse.
- 5 P's for assessment of musculoskeletal injury: pain, paresthesia, paralysis, pallor, pulse
- The goal of pain management is to keep the patient as comfortable as possible. It is not to use as little pain medication as possible.
- The general goal for hemoglobin A1C levels among nonpregnant adults is less than 7%. (2010 ADA standards)
- The null sign (Ø) in on the ISMP’s List of Error-Prone Abbreviations, Symbols, and Dose Designations. Write ‘0’ or ‘zero’ instead.
- When floating to a different unit, look up unfamiliar drugs or familiar drugs in unfamiliar places - doses may differ.
- Believe in yourself and your instincts, but always listen to the patient.