ChelleChelle

ChelleChelle has 22 years experience and specializes in Critical Care, Cardiac, Education.

Latest Activity

1. CCU vs CTSU vs. CICU?

   ChelleChelle replied to momathoner09's topic in CCU

   depends totally on the hospital that you are inquiring at: i've worked at many different hospitals and they all called their open heart surgery unit something different. inquire at the hospitals in your area. find out who does a large number of cardi...

2. Anyone else studying for CCRN exam?

   ChelleChelle replied to deeDawntee's topic in General Nursing

   Hi All, I haven't read any of the posts on this thread for 3 weeks or so...........so was very happy to read all of the notes from those who recently achieved their CCRN. Congratulations! :balloons: As for signing or not signing CCRN after your name....

3. Anyone else studying for CCRN exam?

   ChelleChelle replied to deeDawntee's topic in CCU

   Hi All, I haven't read any of the posts on this thread for 3 weeks or so...........so was very happy to read all of the notes from those who recently achieved their CCRN. Congratulations! :balloons: As for signing or not signing CCRN after your name....

4. Arterial Line Accuracy - help!

   ChelleChelle replied to MarySunshine's topic in MICU

   MarySunshine, It sounds to me like you are describing the difference between "pole-mount" transducers mounted on an IV pole in a transducer holder with the transducer stop-cock at the level of the phlebostatic axis and "patient-mount"............wher...

5. Nitrates, Desaturation & pulmonary shunting

   ChelleChelle replied to Toby's mum's topic in CCU

   I agree about the methemoglobinemia................but there is also a component with the vasodilators that increases perfusion to non-ventilated alveoli which contributes to the increased shunt or VQ mismatch.

6. Losing my mind

   ChelleChelle replied to sassyRN73's topic in MICU

   Hello mdinelle, Yes! Absolutely it will get easier with time. It sounds to me that you are comparing yourself..............a new grad with 4 weeks experience to a preceptor with at least 2 years (probably more) of experience. That is just not a fair ...

7. Nitrates, Desaturation & pulmonary shunting

   ChelleChelle replied to Toby's mum's topic in CCU

   One of the complications of nipride as well as nitrates is pulmonary shunting. Some patients are more sensitive than others. I can even remember a patient that we used hurricaine (benzocaine) spray (back in the dark ages) to numb up the back of an in...

8. Specialty Certification Champions??

   ChelleChelle replied to ChelleChelle's topic in Educators

   Hello Windward Oahu RN, Thanks for your response and I appreciate the honest answer. The hospital that I work at offers a one-time specialty certification bonus. In your mind is that enough? Or would an hourly differential be more attractive? I'm st...

9. Specialty Certification Champions??

   ChelleChelle posted a topic in Educators

   Has anyone out there set up a in-house program to promote specialty certification? What creative or innovative strategies did you employ in order to create a culture of certification in your facility?

10. ACLS Differential Diagnosis

    ChelleChelle replied to MrsRudicen's topic in CCU

    I originally learned them as: CHEAP MD Cardiac Tamponade Hypoxia, Hypovolemia, Hydrogen Ions, Hyper (Hypo) glycemia, Hyper (hypo) kalemia Embolus PE and Embolus MI Acidose Pneumothorax Myocardial Infarction Drug Overdose Now that it's the 6 H's and ...

11. Anyone else studying for CCRN exam?

    ChelleChelle replied to deeDawntee's topic in General Nursing

    Hi CVICU RN, A little pre-test jitters are normal. Everybody gets them. Do you have the 88 page application packet? Go through the packet and do all the test questions in there (even the PCCN, CMC, CMS, Pediatric CCRN, CCNS........all of them!) It w...

12. Anyone else studying for CCRN exam?

    ChelleChelle replied to deeDawntee's topic in CCU

    Hi CVICU RN, A little pre-test jitters are normal. Everybody gets them. Do you have the 88 page application packet? Go through the packet and do all the test questions in there (even the PCCN, CMC, CMS, Pediatric CCRN, CCNS........all of them!) It w...

13. discarding propofol?

    ChelleChelle replied to funeek8RN's topic in MICU

    Check with your hospital pharmacy to see if your institution has a specific policy. Because it it is a glass bottle, I put it in the biohazard trash (all glass items go in there) or in a needle box.

14. Vap

    ChelleChelle replied to WSH-RN's topic in CCU

    As at other institutions we use the IHI Ventilator Bundle 1. HOB up 30 to 45 degrees unless medically contraindicated 2. Sedation Vacation or Daily Awakening 3. Peptic Ulcer Prophylaxis 5. DVT Prophylaxis Other initiatives * Use of a CASS (continuous...

15. Dic

    ChelleChelle replied to ItalianRN's topic in CCU

    Hi Italian RN, Do you have a specific reason for asking this question?? The reasons for a patient going into DIC are many, and the outcomes are varied. DIC is never the primary problem...........it is always the result or complication of another issu...