clinical question that puzzles you?

Flo., BSN, RN · Mar 14, 2011

Really you can't cath men? Can a male RN cath a woman?

evolvingrn, BSN, RN · Mar 14, 2011

wow, cathing a man is so much easier than a woman

Sez86 · Mar 14, 2011

yeah it's a bit silly (i am actually going to write a submission on it).. i know some can but on all of the different wards i had my placements on they had to call a doctor to do it.

In class, we learnt how to catheterize a woman but not a male.

Flo- yes a male nurse can catheterize a woman

simboka · Mar 14, 2011

yeah it's a bit silly (i am actually going to write a submission on it).. i know some can but on all of the different wards i had my placements on they had to call a doctor to do it.
In class, we learnt how to catheterize a woman but not a male.
Flo- yes a male nurse can catheterize a woman

Whenever I've heard that, it's been in the context of prostate issues.

One of our nurses is starting a new inservice thing for us, educating on the "why"s of evidence based practice. They're specific to our policies, but some things she's looked at are: extended infusion of doripenem, why blood has to be done within 4 hours of leaving the blood bank.

LPNweezy · Mar 14, 2011

This must be a hard topic because there are reasons for everything we do. even the ones you listed i can come up with answers pretty quickly. There are some things that are considered 'old' nursing where its hard to figure it out... Oh i thought of one! (actually by browsing allnurses i found it haha)

why are we instructed to have the opening of the pillowcase facing the door when we make beds? not that anyone actually does it, just nursing school stuff that is STILL taught!

don2 · Mar 14, 2011

Why do we measure a persons vital signs every 4 hours?"

all patients admitted in the hospital are considered to be unstable, it is important to monitor patient vital sign, since mostly patient admitted in hospital are given intravenous therapy, thus, monitoring of fluid intake via intravenous is important to determine patient volume status, such as hypo or hyper tensive, and any changes of vitals sign calls for medical attention.

"Does home visiting improve health outcomes?"

yes, it evaluates patients outcome and effect of discharge instruction, as well as monitoring post hospital coping.

"When someone is having a blood transfusion how frequently should you check for transfusion reactions?

every 15 minutes until stable, and every 30 minutes, it is important to monitor patient for signs of headache, pruritus, chest pain, Difficult of breathing, itchiness, changes in baseline vital signs, etc. these are signs of BT reaction, which BT should be stopped at once and informing the doctor immediately is a primary nursing responsibility.

check ur fundamentals of nursing,

noahsmama · Mar 15, 2011

"Why do we measure a persons vital signs every 4 hours?"

We don't always. If they're in ICU, we're likely monitoring their VS q hour, or at least q 2. And at the peds hospital where I worked with both medical and rehab pts, the default was q4 when first admitted, but some of our rehab pts were stable enough that this could be reduced -- sometimes to as little as q day. When the docs made this decision, it would be based on how stable they had been, including whether or not their VS had been outside their parameters at all and, if so, how recently and how often. For pts on telemetry, we're actually monitoring SOME of their VS continuously. We try to monitor often enough to catch changes in a timely fashion, while minimizing the degree to which we disturb/inconvenience the pt.

A question that puzzles me, as a PHN, is this -- what are the most effective methods or programs for helping individuals to change their unhealthy habits? That's a pretty broad question, which might be different depending on what the unhealthy habit(s) is(are), but unhealthy habits are notoriously difficult to break, even when the individual is completely aware that they are unhealthy. I especially wonder about the most effective programs to promote long term weight loss, because overeating happens to be my own unhealthy habit that I have so much difficulty changing!

Hope that helps!

don2 · Mar 15, 2011

"Why can't registered nurses in New Zealand catheterise males"

In the hospital i worked, catheterization is primarily a doctors job, but in certain cases or emergency cases with proper order, nurse do the catheterization, catheter pull-out order; is a nurse job, We do also observe gender issues, male nurse cath male patient; viz-a-viz, In NZ perhaps, these practice may be bound to transcultural and gender issues. however, "will you not save a lamb from the cliff because it is sabbath?

Simba&NalasMom, LPN · Mar 15, 2011

This must be a hard topic because there are reasons for everything we do. even the ones you listed i can come up with answers pretty quickly. There are some things that are considered 'old' nursing where its hard to figure it out... Oh i thought of one! (actually by browsing allnurses i found it haha)
why are we instructed to have the opening of the pillowcase facing the door when we make beds? not that anyone actually does it, just nursing school stuff that is STILL taught!

HAHAHA I actually still do that!! Old habits. :lol2:

OP I had an idea and it escaped my mind. I'll keep thinking about it and get back with you.