dhudzinski

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1. rules of injections

   dhudzinski replied to imahobbit's topic in General Nursing

   This is why we have a procedure for administering medications....we were all taught this procedure in Nursing school. Check your medications carefully everything must match or else you DO NOT give it. No matter WHO drew it up or prepared it. If anyt...

2. So... best PDA software?

   dhudzinski replied to Guitar_Heroine's topic in New Nurse

   I have used Epocrates for a few years and really liked it. I just recently was introduced to PEPID.com and Love it. It has a lot more than epocrates..sort of like having a med surg book in your pocket plus a drug resource...

3. Do you refer patients to websites for helpful information?

   dhudzinski replied to Brian's topic in General Nursing

   I work with chronic pain patients. I try to lead them to sites that I have confidence in. Information is power and allows them to be a self advocate. It also encourages them to be a knowledgeable healthcare consumer. Some sites I like are: www.theacp...

4. Isn't pain whatever the patient says it is???

   dhudzinski replied to momcats3's topic in Pain

   If what the patient is saying does not correlate with the behaviors that you are seeing (ie pt is grimacing, guarding, refusing to move, irritable etc) then I usually have a little sit down with them and ask some more specific questions and share my ...

5. Isn't pain whatever the patient says it is???

   dhudzinski replied to momcats3's topic in Pain

   I disagree, It is not all that plain and simple. Chronic pain patients on a steady dose of opioid can and do drive and operate machinery safely. the operative word here is steady dose ie the same dose daily. Intermittant dosing does not qualify. N...

6. Isn't pain whatever the patient says it is???

   dhudzinski replied to momcats3's topic in Pain

   The problem with that is... what are you basing your judgement on? Pain is so subjective and the only one who can judge how much pain and when it is there is the patient. Pain assessment is absolutely important BUT it must be a thorough systematic ...

7. Isn't pain whatever the patient says it is???

   dhudzinski replied to momcats3's topic in Pain

   I think that is a difficult question to answer. It is not clearly black and white. there are too many variables. My advise to my patients is: 1. Do not drive if you have just started on a new medication 2. Do not drive if you have just increased a do...

8. Isn't pain whatever the patient says it is???

   dhudzinski replied to momcats3's topic in Pain

   Very interesting dialogue. I am always amazed at the variety of opinions there are about pain, and its treatment. This is very stimulating material for me. Pain is my passion. I want to know more about it. How does it do what it does? Why is it diffe...

9. Isn't pain whatever the patient says it is???

   dhudzinski replied to momcats3's topic in Pain

   Duragesic Patches were a great invention but have a variety of cautions and drawbacks to them. First off Medicaid does not pay for them (many pts in nursing homes are on Medicaid) And I don't know about your state but many states are now Methadone ...

10. Are you in Nursing for the Caring or the Cash?? Be Honest

    dhudzinski replied to 1BlessedRN's topic in General Nursing

    To be valued for what I (we) do is very important and high on my list. Caring is important because if we do not care then why put up with the long hours and thankless work. Now the money is important too. As a society we put monetary value on thin...

11. How were you taught to solve this medication calculation problem?

    dhudzinski replied to Jill1215's topic in General Students

    I ALWAYS had problems doing the math calculations UNTIL I learned Dimensional Analysis now it is actually easy and fun to figure the math.NEED = 0.25 g HAVE = 500 mg/tab What you want to know = # of Tabs Tabs = 1 Tab/500 mg X 1000 mg /1g X 0.25 g ...

12. Isn't pain whatever the patient says it is???

    dhudzinski replied to momcats3's topic in Pain

    I too have chronic pain from a variety of causes, congenital, trauma, arthritis and surgery. And I use A LOT of non pharmacologic interventions, such as heat, cold, magnets, aroma therapy, reike, therapeutic healing touch, music, massage and accupun...

13. Care Plans an Exercise in FUTILITY??????

    dhudzinski replied to Destinystar's topic in Geriatric

    IN home care they are invaluable. It directs our care each and every visit and is how we get reimbursed for our services. If it is not in the care plan we don;t get paid. The nursing care plan also assists when another nurse needs to go out and se...

14. Are you in Nursing for the Caring or the Cash?? Be Honest

    dhudzinski replied to 1BlessedRN's topic in General Nursing

    I went into nursing to help people. BUT it certainly made it nice to get paid...compassion and altruism does not pay the bills. My first nursing job paid $3.75 /hr and after 35 years I make $30/hr that is less than a $1/hr increase per year. I ce...

15. What is the difference between hospice care and palliative care?

    dhudzinski replied to leslie :-D's topic in Hospice

    I wholeheartedly agree. Most people, healthcare providers included do not know about nor understand the benefits of palliative care.