tommycher

Latest Activity

1. written up already!

   tommycher replied to janetrette's topic in New Nurse

   Most often lumbar punctures and bone aspirations/biopsies are done with local anethestics, yet we still have to make these pt.'s NPO, due to the possibility of nausea/vomiting, and we still have to do the same recovery/vitals once they return to the ...

2. DNR bracelet with DNR written on it. HIPAA???

   tommycher replied to FireStarterRN's topic in HIPAA

   Have you ever seen a code run on a pt that a nurse forgot to put the DNR bracelet on? I have, and the hospital is still in litigation over this. A doctor's order says DNR, and two nurses sign the order and the bracelet, unless the nurse is negligen...

3. written up already!

   tommycher replied to janetrette's topic in New Nurse

   Was it an order to begin IV fluids at 0600? Often that is an order for a cardiac cath or a procedure using conscious sedation. It would seem to me, that if you are giving report at 0700, and it is noticed the fluids have not been started, it would ...

4. DNR bracelet with DNR written on it. HIPAA???

   tommycher replied to FireStarterRN's topic in HIPAA

   When and if a pt goes bad, there often is not the time to discern color codes, you absolutely have to know, without a doubt, what this pt's wishes are. We do use a blue bracelet, with DNR or No Code written on it, with two nurse's signatures next to...

5. Nursing is 24hrs is just an expression

   tommycher replied to angelique777's topic in General Nursing

   I am sorry you dread giving report, I recall feeling that way as a new nurse, only because of my own fears of having missed something that a more seasoned nurse might question me on. But, being a day shift nurse, I have another point of view. We ge...

6. NG tube question-please help!

   tommycher replied to sweetieann's topic in General Nursing

   Certainly, if the student gave the meds without the instructor present, did not follow instructors instructions, then it was a med error. Students were kicked out of our program for such a thing.

7. NG tube question-please help!

   tommycher replied to sweetieann's topic in General Nursing

   And by the way, the instructor is ultimately responsible for a student giving meds in clinicals. The instructor should have asked the student all of the appropriate questions before the meds were given, such as, what did the physician order say regar...

8. NG tube question-please help!

   tommycher replied to sweetieann's topic in General Nursing

   Dusktildawn, I am sorry if I appeared to be sarcastic, you are very thorough, and I meant my compliment sincerely. Our pharmacy has meds timed on our MAR, and designated as such, when they are to be given on an empty stomach, which are compatible ...

9. NG tube question-please help!

   tommycher replied to sweetieann's topic in General Nursing

   Oh my dusktildawn, you are extremely meticulous, must be a great nurse. Do you by any chance work in ICU, that is the only place I can imagine working and having the time to be this meticulous. Otherwise, giving meds via NGT while staying within you...

10. Annoyed that public doesn't know what nurses do?

    tommycher replied to UM Review RN's topic in General Nursing

    I did not know "what nurses do" until I was almost out of nursing school, and was "doing it" without even thinking about it! I get frustrated at times on the floor and think to myself that a patient's family just does not "know what nurses do" when ...

11. I made a med error

    tommycher replied to southern_rn_brat's topic in Geriatric

    Bless your heart, keep your chin up! I have a feeling this will go nowhere, but I know that does not ease the anxiety much. Thank you for sharing, reminds us all to be extra diligent, once again.

12. Why are doctors so rude?

    tommycher replied to TheCommuter's topic in Relations

    As a staff nurse, the other nurses with whom I work, and I, know which docs are prone to rudeness, therefore we do not take it personally. We know them as Equal Opportunity Offenders. You carry on, keep your chin up, know it is Them, Not You, and jus...

13. Potassium piggybacks

    tommycher replied to starcandy's topic in General Nursing

    The amount of sodium bicarb in an amp is inconsequential, the doctor who orders it is also aware of the pt.'s labs, thus the purpose for ordering the potassium in the first place.

14. Should patients be allowed to refuse LPNs and CNAs?

    tommycher replied to flashpoint's topic in LPN/LVN

    As far as an LPN not having nearly as much training as an RN, when it comes to bedside care, that is hogwash. LPN's go through intensive training in this arena, as this is their primary job. Many RN's will tell you that without LPN's to help them whe...

15. I'm having major assessment problems. Please help!!!!

    tommycher replied to Jessica Student RN's topic in General Nursing

    When doing a manual blood pressure, the stethoscope actually should be placed on the little finger side of the antecubital area.