What is your no fail nursing tip

Furball · Mar 24, 2002

Originally posted by SICU Queen
For the shaving portion of a CABG prep, we use baby powder to shave patients. MUCH neater than soap and water or shaving cream, and the hair just slides right off with the razor. Works good for cath patients too, or anyone needing a shave for a surgical prep.

Plus, it's SUPER fast, which is nice when those hairy men come through! :)

Wow

Will have to try that one SICU Queen. Seems we've had a run on "Neaderthals" on our floor recently. Thanks!

mattsmom81 · Mar 24, 2002

Another good, helpful thread! :)

I guess my best tip involves never getting so 'frantic amongst the chaos' that you forget to introduce yourself with a smile to your patients and family. Forgetting to do this simple thing this can cause ALL KINDS of misunderstandings down the line, as people tend to misinterpret "busy-ness" as aloofness and uncaring when they're scared and hurting.....

Along the same line, LISTEN CLOSELY to your patient and NEVER dismiss your uneasy feeling that 'something isn't right'...I've averted disaster more times than I can count just using 'critical listening' and following my 'nurse gut'.

ICU tip: Open chart reports prevent many errors of omission!.

whipping girl in 07, RN · Mar 25, 2002

As a new grad, I don't have any tips yet, but thanks for all these! Awesome!

live4today, RN · Mar 25, 2002

Do unto others as you would have others do unto you! :)

Treat patients as if they were you lying in that hospital bed! :)

Be concious of your post-op patients need for continuous pain meds within the first 24 hours after surgery. Think of "their pain" as your own pain, and you'll remember to keep them as pain-free as possible.

Remember to be a good team player, and not just one who looks out for self only among those you work with. :)

Don't call in sick when you really aren't! It makes someone else sick to think that you would be so thoughtless of those you work with!

Lend a hand where a hand is needed when yours are "freed up" for any given moment!

Remember when assessing a patient that they are not just a textbook subject, but a live human being with emotions, feelings, embarrassments of their own, beliefs different from yours, and a need for continued privacy during the assessment. :)

Remember to warm your hands and stethoscope before touching them to a patient, especially a fresh post-op patient. :)

So many others, but this will suffice for tonight! I'm tired. Yawn!!!

betts · Mar 25, 2002

Do Not Use Bar Soap to Cleanse Wounds

Treat minor cuts and scrapes by cleansing with a liquid antibacterial soap, such as Dial. Bar soaps hold germs and could cause a wound infection.

The most important measure in preventing wound infection is thorough handwashing before and after wound care. You should wash your hands with a mild antibacterial soap for at least 10 to 15 seconds under running warm water and dry your hands with a paper towel rather than a hand towel.

To easily remove an adhesive bandage:

Use a small pair of scissors to separate the bandage portion from the adhesive strips. Gently pull the bandage away. Then remove the adhesive sections.

If your wound or scab is stuck to the bandage, soak it in saline solution, a teaspoon of salt per gallon of water.

If the bandage is stuck on body hair, pull in the direction of the hair growth after loosening the adhesive with alcohol.

Saline is an effective and natural wound cleanser. To make your own saline, boil a quart of water for 20 minutes and add 2 teaspoons of table salt. Store it in a sterile glass jar in the refrigerator and discard it after 24 hours. DO NOT use this solution in your eyes.

Application of an OTC [over-the-counter] antibacterial ointment, such as triple antibiotic ointment, speeds healing and lessens scarring.

BrightEyes · Mar 25, 2002

Totally agree with Mattsmom. Smile, smile, smile!!!!

wenron · Jan 25, 2003

When removing a transparent drsng from picc line or central line, secure the cath and pull the dressing down towards the floor instead of tearing it off. This causes no pain and just lifts off.

chelli73 · Jan 25, 2003

Thanks to allnurses out here posting their awesome tips!!!! I am a 2nd sem. ADN student and I sat here with my little notepad and neatly copied the tips for my reference later!!! Have a great day, and continued success!

baseline · Jan 25, 2003

Tips for orienting new grads. (Keep your sense of humor now...these really happened to me while orienting new nurses and or new to the ED/ICU)

Never mix charcoal with the Mg Citrate.

Never grab an uncapped bag of PRC by the middle.

Never blow into the vent tubing to unstick the valve.

:-)

Momto3RN, RN · Jan 26, 2003

Great tip I learned as a student nurse:

If a bed-bound pt needs his/her hair washed, roll a blanket lengthwise and fold it in half. Cover the folded end with a large plastic bag and place it under the patient's head so that the opposite end is perpendicular to the patient. Place the bottom portion in a garbage can (or other large container) and pour water to your heart's content over the patient's head.

His/her head should rest between the folds of the blanket.

Works like a charm!!

Love these tips!

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Jan 26, 2003

One little thing that makes a huge difference to anyone receiving an injection: LET THE ALCOHOL DRY FIRST!!

rdhdnrs · Jan 26, 2003

Of course, label the IV tubing. Also, for a patient with mutiple drips on a pump, label the pump channels. Use some tape and beside each channel, put whatever: pitocin, mag, D51/2ns etc. This has saved me from opening up the wrong bag for bolus.