thenursingblog:

Charts & Figures: Know Your Abdominal Pains

onemillionandonenursingthings:

DYSRHYTHMIAS AND TREATMENTS:

~Bradycardia (<60 BPM)

• Meds: atropine, isoproterenol
• Equipment: pace maker

~Atrial fibrillation, supraventricular tachycardia, ventricular tachycardia with pulse

• Meds: amiodarone, adenosine, verapamil
• Equipment: synchronized cardioversion

~Ventricular tachycardia without pulse, ventricular fibrillation

• Meds: amiodarone, lidocaine, epinephrine
• Equipment: defibrillation

nursing

onemillionandonenursingthings:

BLOOD TRANSFUSIONS:

~use a 20 gauge needle

~Types:

• Homologous- use of donor blood
• Autologous- use of patient’s own blood

~Steps of administration: all facilities are different and have different policies, so it is a good idea to check with your specific facility to confirm its specific policy/policies

1. make sure there is a completed consent form on hand
2. there must be a current order in the medical record by the patient’s provider
3. verify the type and screen is up to date
4. obtain baseline vital signs
5. positively identify that the blood unit matches the patient according to blood/component type
6. verify the unit number and expiration date
7. steps 5 & 6 usually require a dual sign off, meaning you and another nurse must do them together and check each of the requirements twice to be sure the  unit is correct for this patient
8. administer the transfusion according to policy
9. take another set of vital signs within 15 minutes of the start of the transfusion and remain with the patient during the first 15 minutes to monitor for signs of a transfusion reaction

~Other things to remember:

• the time limit for all infusions and filters is 4 hours
• use a blood filter except for albumin infusions
• return all unused units of blood to the blood bank immediately 
• the transfusion must be started as immediately as possible to be sure all supplies are ready to go once the unit is available

~Reaction Actions: all facilities have different policies, but these are the basics that are important to remember (Check with your specific facility to be sure of the exact policy/policies.)

1. STOP THE TRANSFUSION
2. Start a normal saline infusion using a separate IV line
3. Save the blood bag and tubing to send to the lab

~Signs and symptoms of a reaction include:

• fever (>1 degree Celsius from baseline)
• chills, rigors, shivering, shakes
• dyspnea (shortness of breath)
• rash, hives, itching, swelling
• anxiety/agitation
• general malaise or irritability, unwell feeling
• hypotension or hypertension
• pain (chest/back, IV site, headache)
• nausea/ vomiting
• tachycardia
• shock

~Transfusions can cause impaired cardiac function in the shape of circulatory overload. Signs and symptoms include:

• dyspnea, chest tightness, tachycardia, tachypnea, headache, hypertension, jugular venous distention, peripheral edema, orthopnea, sudden anxiety, crackles at the bases of the lungs

theindieplaylists:

Heavy Feet by Local Natives

mrswrightevenwhenimwrong:

Ode to a Node:

Have a heart, and have no fear,

The SA node is over here.

Beating at a constant rate,

60-100 is really great.

The AV node can make a show

If SA node has gone too slow.

40-60 is not too bad,

If it’s all you’ve got, you will be glad.

Should the whole thing drop its speed,

His and bundle branches will take the lead.

And that, my friend is the whole and part,

Of the conduction system of your heart.

Pitiful and Corney, to say the least.  Taken from the book “Flip and See ECG.”

whatshouldbetchescallme:

emmyswim:

This is my best friend. He’s super.

(Source: chronicallyannoyed)

(Source: agirlandherbibliophilia)