KAT1994

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1. flipping needles

   KAT1994 replied to babyboomerRN's topic in Urology

   When you insert the needle bevel up it creates a narrow flap/slit. When you remove that needle it leaves a small opening because the flap/slit edges go back together edge to edge. If you flip the needle, then when you pull the needle out it actuall...

2. Anyone got their CDN certification

   KAT1994 replied to TELEpathicRN's topic in Urology

   Which book and study guide did you use to study? I bought a recommened book, but I'm not sure it is the most helpful. The Nephrology Nurse Core Cirriculum or something like that.

3. Tunnel Catheter Repairs in the Chronic Unit

   KAT1994 posted a topic in Urology

   Just curious if any of the chronic units out there replace the ends of the tunnel catheters when the become cracked? We send the patient to the interventional radiologist, but they are wanting us to do it in the units. I don't think this is very sa...

4. use of tourniquet

   KAT1994 replied to student60's topic in Urology

   I use a very light tourniquet or use my little finger to apply pressure. This helps to inflate the inner diameter of the fistula and helps to reduce the chance of infiltration. I have had a few fistulas, especially upper arm, that when you apply ev...

5. dialysate prescription

   KAT1994 replied to student60's topic in Urology

   At our unit we have standing orders: K+6=1k w/a stat re-check the next tx, MD, and dietician are notified. We only move up or down one bath; for example, k+ of 3 goes to 5.4 they are only moved to a 3k instead of a 2k bath. I would probably re-ch...

6. I need feedback from dialysis nurses.

   KAT1994 replied to drsrn's topic in Urology

   Dialysis becomes very hard when you feel like you are doing it to the pt instead of for the pt. When our unit has a heavy care pt like this one we usually require a caregiver to come with the pt. The pt sounds like one that would have a full time ...

7. Safe patient ratios

   KAT1994 replied to KAT1994's topic in Urology

   I usually put on 3 or 4 of the patients so that we stay on schedule for turnover. I help with rounds while each PCT goes on break ( a total of 90 min). So while I am passing meds and doing dressing changes I am also answering the phone, doing round...

8. bleeding at needle sites

   KAT1994 replied to sandrakclev's topic in Urology

   I recently had a similar problem. We started by reducing the heparin. He actually is down to a 2k bolus and that is it. He continued to have bleeding so we sent him for an ultrasound. He had central stenosis and had an angiogram, but still had pr...

9. Safe patient ratios

   KAT1994 posted a topic in Urology

   Our chronic hemo clinic has had a sudden lower patient census so the shifts have been rearranged. Usually we have one RN to 12 pt with 3 PCT. 11 pt one RN and 2PCT. 7 pt one RN and one PCT. Right now I have been given upto 15 patients with three P...

10. Help, 2 jobs offer.

    KAT1994 replied to hanginginthere's topic in Urology

    I have worked med-surg, telemetry, skilled nursing home care, and now chronic hemo. I have never worked in acutes, but I think generally you have fewer patients to focus on at one time and the care is more focused. It may depend on what part of med...

11. New Grads in Dialysis?

    KAT1994 replied to nosonew's topic in Urology

    Hi, I'm new to allnurses.com. I know this is an old post, but just thought I'd share my similar experience. Two years ago we had 75% catheters in our 86 pt unit. Our PCTs could not do catheters at our unit although it is permitted in my state. I h...