BlueChocolateCat

BlueChocolateCat has 2 years experience and specializes in CVICU, CCRN.

Latest Activity

1. How do I change a transducer set up?

   BlueChocolateCat replied to skittleson's topic in Critical

   Just like you prime an IV infusion, you prime the transducer set up to ensure no air bubbles and clamp the line while it is being disconnected and changed. But I'm going to tell you right now, the NCLEX will not even have the word "transducer" or an...

2. How old were you when you started CRNA school?

   BlueChocolateCat replied to Nolander's topic in SRNA

   I'll be starting right after I turn 25 and finishing at 27. I will have over 2.5 years of ICU experience as a BSN RN when I start.

3. SRNA Resources (especially for meds)

   BlueChocolateCat posted a topic in SRNA

   Hi all! I was accepted to CRNA school and I start summer 2017, just a few short months away. I want to get a head start on understanding some of these anesthesia meds at an in-depth level. My drug resource books from my undergraduate are very much la...

4. Ambulating a pt while on vasoactive drugs?

   BlueChocolateCat replied to nurs1ng's topic in CCU

   We do not have a solid policy. It really comes down to nursing discresion (unless the docs insist) In our unit, we are able to give small neo pushes during moments of severe hypotension (MAPS

5. Vasopressin vs. Levophed

   BlueChocolateCat replied to sugarmagnoliaRN's topic in CCU

   In my cardiac surg ICU we prefer levo as a first line. If the patient isn't responding to levo (generally requiring doses over 10 mcg/min) we will add vaso. Amoung our ICU, there is some speculation that high doses of vaso may be linked to bowel isch...

6. Pacer spikes not showing up monitor

   BlueChocolateCat replied to Lev's topic in CCU

   I'm sorry if this doesnt pretain to your monitors, but on our monitors we are able to turn "pacemaker monitoring" on and off. Maybe certain monitors have this turned to OFF as a default?

7. Ask a CRNA any question you want

   BlueChocolateCat replied to PaSSiNGaS's topic in Critical

   I'm one of those nurses. I started off in a very high acuity CVICU as a new grad. I have worked here for just over a year and I'm still going strong. I know that I am improving as an RN every day. I have a lot of nurses around me that have worked her...

8. Autonomy?

   BlueChocolateCat replied to WIBound's topic in Critical

   Considering that lowering the patient's head of bed during an episodeo of hypotension is considered a solid NURSING intervention, that sounds very strange to me. Generally, ICU nurses are allowed a slight increase in autonomy for obvious reasons. I...

9. I made a big mistake

   BlueChocolateCat replied to Birdy2's topic in Safety

   From reading this story, I don't think you did anything wrong at all. It sounds like you did everything right, and I probably would have given him the xanax as well. It was three and a half hours after a pain pill that he was tolerating well. Out of...

10. Is it really worth it... So Miserable!! So Insecure!!

    BlueChocolateCat replied to nursy1's topic in Relations

    I read OPs first post and no others. My impression of the situation is that you are working with a very burned out-short fused preceptor. I don't think the situation with the wound-vac was your fault at all. For her to lose her cool so severely righ...

11. Calling a transgender patient an "it"

    BlueChocolateCat replied to Angeljho's topic in Relations

    At my facility this would be grounds for immediate termination. Completely unacceptable.

12. Most surprising/shocking/interesting thing you've seen

    BlueChocolateCat replied to TexMex22's topic in General Nursing

    I'm ready for the day that someone gets their chest re-opened at the bedside and we do direct cardiac massage. I think the best one was the patient who was doped up on PCP or some crazy stimulant and was able to pick up a total care bed and actually...

13. New Grad RN can't find a job

    BlueChocolateCat replied to morganv's topic in Job Hunt

    Move to Ohio. I think the vast majority of my classmates are employed as RNs. I graduated in May 2014, passed my boards end of July 2014, and my first day of orientation was in the end of October 2014. I had two job offers. If you have experience, th...

14. Don't Want To Touch Patients!

    BlueChocolateCat replied to ThinBabe's topic in General Nursing

    Nursing is not the answer.

15. Legally how many doses can a nurse hold?

    BlueChocolateCat replied to Donnagg123's topic in Medications

    I care for surgical patients and sometimes my patient's have scheduled opiates like tramadol or oxycodone. If I find that my 88 year old patient is simply too lethargic to get this dose, I'm going to hold the dose and document my RN assessment. I'm n...