[minky84]

Hi there! My name is Brennyn and I am going to be completing my preceptorship in the NICU and have an assignment that I need to have done before I can start. And I can't wait! I was hoping that you all could help me out with the assignment. I am suppose to ask a NICU nurse the following questions:

Top 10 medical diagnosis
Top 5 nursing diagnosis
Top 5 diagnostic tests
Top 10 routine medications
Top 5 PRN meds
Top 10 clinical skills used in the unit

All I need is a list and from there I look up and learn about the different topics. I would really appreciate any help that you all can give me. I know you all are experts in your field!

Thank you again! brennyn

[SteveRN21]

I'll swipe the easy one:

Top 5 diagnostic tests:

Chest Xray

Basic Metabolic Panel

Complete Blood Count

Arterial blood gas

Total/direct bilirubin level

[elizabells]

Top 5 PRN meds:

glycerin!

acetaminophen

morphine

versed

um... albuterol?

[Sweeper933]

Top 5 PRN meds on my unit: Fentanyl, Acetaminophen, Glycerin, Desatin, Versed

Some medical diagnosis that I can think of:

Prematurity (and Extreme Prematurity)
RDS (along with BPD / CLD)
PDA (along with VSD, ASD... all that "basic" cardiac stuff")
Jaundice
Anemia
ROP
NEC
Cholestasis
IVH

Hope this helped!

[preemieRNkate]

Top 10 medications

Ampicillin
Gentamicin
Caffeine citrate
Elemental Iron
Aldactone
Chlorothiazide
24% Sucrose
Morphine
Dopamine
Dobutamine

This is what I can think of off the top of my head. Someone else please add something that you think you might use more frequently!


Top 10 clinical skills

heelsticks
IVs (starting and properly securing)
arterial sticks (we do them and new people start after demonstrating decent IV skills)
taping an ETT
listening for a murmur
dropping an NGT
swaddling a cranky baby!

Ok, that's not 10. Someone else help me out!

[WeeBabyRN]

Top 10 medical diagnosis

RDS
prematurity
NEC
pneumothorax
gastroschisis
hydrocephalus/IVH
hyperbilirubinemia
birth trauma
Feeding difficulty
Rule out Sepsis

Top 5 nursing diagnosis-we do priorities of care

Maintain O2 sats between (set limits), increase or decrease FiO2 as needed
Prevent infection R/T CVL, ETT, surgical site, etc...
Monitor feeding tolerance
Decrease stimulation, cluster care
Encourage parental participation in care

Top 5 diagnostic tests

CBC/BMP
Upper GI
Chest XRay
KUB
Head US

Top 10 routine medications

Vitamin E
Multi Vits
Iron
Folic Acid
Zantac
Caffeine Citrate
Amp
Gent
HAL
IL

Top 5 PRN meds

Glycerin Chip
Tylenol
Fentanyl
Triple Paste
Ilex

Top 10 clinical skills used in the unit

Heelstick
starting an IV
IV tubing changes
medication administration
NG placement
assessment
suctioning an ETT
vital signs
dressing changes
recovering surgical patients

[sunny17]

Top 10 medical diagnosis
- Prematurity
- Respiratory Distress
- Hypoglycemia
- Jaundice
- Pulmonary Hypertension


Top 5 nursing diagnosis
- Thermoregulation inffective
- Altered Family Roles/Status
- Risk for Infection
- Ineffective Gas Exchange
- Risk for Disorganized state

Top 5 diagnostic tests
CBC with diff
Electrolytes
Flat plate Chest/Abdomen
Heelstick Eval
Blood Culture

Top 10 routine medications
TPN
Lipids
Gentamicin
Ampicillin
D10 boluses
Caffeine
Dopamine
Albuterol
Vanco
Dilation Drops ( for eye checks)

Top 5 PRN meds
Glycerin suppository
Nystatin Powder
Aquaphor
Albuterol
Morphine/Fentanyl


Top 10 clinical skills used in the unit
- Starting IV's
- Labwork
- Assessing breath sounds
- Assesing heart sounds and murmurs
- Suctioning ( ventilated and non-ventilated)
- Feeding Infants!
- Dressing Changes ( wounds and Broviac)
- Resusitation "aka" saving babies!
- Turning/Repositioning Infants
- Psychology....your not only taking care of the baby but their parents!

[minky84]

I can't thank you all enough to giving me good insight into your unit. Our teacher requires that we research and know about all of the above before setting foot in a unit where our preceptorship takes place. I think its a great idea and helps us not be so clueless. Thanks again!!

Brennyn