dawnb70

Latest Activity

1. Rudeness from EMTs and Paramedics

   dawnb70 replied to TheCommuter's topic in Geriatric

   Too many times to count!!! I thought it was just where I live! Recently we had a78 year old man in respiratory distress. The ambulance arrived to transport him to the ER, received another call and then proceeded to leave to answer that call. It t...

2. Elder Abuse??????

   dawnb70 posted a topic in Geriatric

   I turned in a family member today to the Ombudsman for suspected elder abuse, and I'm not sure if I've done the right thing. There have been several occurences with this family and their mother. The first one I experienced was over a bill from the ...

3. dumb question

   dawnb70 replied to ellie123's topic in Geriatric

   I was the treatment nurse for a few months in the LTC facility that I work in. I was responsible for the weekly measurements of decubs. I also determined what treatment to use if a wound showed no improvement or deteriorated in 2 weeks. Also, I ca...

4. Losing your skills in LTC

   dawnb70 replied to Cubby's topic in Geriatric

   I haven't been a nurse for that long (going on 4 yrs.), but I feel that I am using so much of what I learned in school. I change catheters, insert IVs, do blood draws, do trach. care, deal with G or NG tubes/feedings, do wound care for various stage...

5. I need to vent please a little long sorry

   dawnb70 replied to anniev's topic in Geriatric

   I was so happy to read this post. I thought I was the only one who felt this way. I've been an LPN for 4 years, and in LTC the whole time. I think I'm starting to get "burnout" big time. At least our CNAs can do the V/S for us, but the rest is on...

6. Anyone have too much paperwork???

   dawnb70 replied to johnson0424's topic in Geriatric

   We have a form for everything too. But my favorite (yeah right) is the new order and lab binders. Anytime we take a telephone order we are supposed to write the order in these binders. It's supposed to keep us from making mistakes, but it is just ...

7. Scared, excited, nervous, anxious.....

   dawnb70 replied to jennyga's topic in Geriatric

   Find a mentor. It really helped me, anyhow. And never be afraid that any question is stupid. I've been in LTC for 4 yrs. and I still ask for help if I'm uncertain of something. And like everyone else has said, make sure you've had enough orientat...

8. Pet Peeves

   dawnb70 replied to sjb2005's topic in General Nursing

   Nurse who don't restock supplies.....GRRRRRRRRR! I also hate clutter at my portion of the nurse's station, and it seems that people always use my part of the desk (I believe because it's the only clean part) and they don't put away charts or papers ...

9. Umm...I will have 47 residence to care for !!!!!

   dawnb70 replied to BigB's topic in Geriatric

   I currently have 33 residents to care for. I have been responsible for as many as 72 when I was the only night nurse in the building. It is possible, but you are not able to give the care your residents deserve. I'm curious about the laws of nurse...

10. Question for nurses

    dawnb70 replied to mal1027's topic in Geriatric

    I'm an LPN in a LTC facility...wasn't sure if you only wanted RNs to respond. The RNs and LPNs have equal responsibility in the facility that I work in. Many of the LPNs are IV certified/trained and are as competent as the RNs. I have never worke...

11. I think I'm in big trouble

    dawnb70 replied to not now's topic in General Nursing

    I also applaud your bravery. Too many of us who work in LTC facilities are so used to being short-staffed, and overworked that we take it in stride. If more nurses would stand up for this issue maybe something would be done about it. You shouldn't...

12. What can cause the heart rate to drop during exertion?

    dawnb70 replied to dawnb70's topic in Cardiac

    I was mistaken...She's not on Cardizem. It's Dilt X-R (or Diltacor) I think, which I can't find in my drug book. She has no history of A.Fib, and does not normally have an irregular heart rate. I think I may have found part of the problem though. ...

13. What can cause the heart rate to drop during exertion?

    dawnb70 replied to dawnb70's topic in Cardiac

    I'm trying to remember what meds. this pt. is on. She gets Sinemet, Effexor, Mirapex, Requip, Plavix, Diovan, Cardizem, Synthroid, and Lisinopril in the a.m. At lunch she gets the Effexor, Sinemet, Requip, and Mirapex. PT hooks up the pulse ox. wh...

14. What can cause the heart rate to drop during exertion?

    dawnb70 replied to dawnb70's topic in Cardiac

    Thank you for your help! I did a little research online and ran across an article from USA Today that stated that individuals whose heart rate drops during exertion are more likely to drop dead of a heart attack. I can't remember the details...I gu...

15. Is it common for dialysis to be put on hold?

    dawnb70 replied to dawnb70's topic in Urology

    This resident had been getting dialysis 3x/wk for about 6 mos. He has a shunt in his left arm, and still has a SC central line. He has been on the diuretics for a week now and the edema has not improved any.