CDU

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Hi allnurses, happy holidays to you all. I will be starting my new job the second week of January in a clinical decision unit, (23 hour observation), which is basically an extension of the emergency department; but patients in our unit can actually stay up til 4 days (I know sounds strange). Does anyone have any tidbits about what I can do to prepare or what to expect. Anyone work in a cdu; any and all info will be greatly appreciated. I'm so nervous!

I'm actually terrified, want to really do a good job.

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Specializes in ED.

I haven't worked in CDU but work closely with those nurses (I am in the ER). I would say one thing to be sure of is when follow up tests are due- like repeat cardiac enzymes...if the first set was done at 18:00 in the ER and the Pt gets to you at midnight or something then you'll need to draw the 2nd set at 02:00 in the morning and the 3rd set at 10:00 in the morning. Also repeat VBGs or K or Mg/Phos levels - those tend to need repeating at certain times...Co-Ag studies (PT/PTT/INR) for Pts being heparinized is 6 hours after the heparin drip was started etc....sometimes Pts go to our CDU to be observed and wait for a morning procedure or stress test etc., so I would want to know if they need to be NPO for a certain number of hours, stuff like that... You'll find a rhythm! Good luck - remember Nursing is an adventure in time management and every day you DO get better and better at it!

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Thanks armygir7, I can really relate to what your saying, you make it sound doable; any chance you could be my preceptor, lol.

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