clinical questions:)

[sprintin08]

hi... i am a sophomore nursing major and starting my first day of clinicals friday at a nursing home... ahhh!! i got a little slip of paper w/ some information on my patient, and this all made me a bit nervous. it says she uses the hoyer lift. my instructor showed us this briefly in class, but i dont remember how to use it... it says, "2 assist hoyer" ...im not sure if this means 2 people do it, or 2 what? i dont think they'd make me do it alone... atleast i hope not!! i have no idea how to use the thing!

it also says the letter "B" under "day, eve, night" i was wondering if anyone knows what this stands for. and it says "T" under "ADL'S" im not sure what T stands for either. i worked in a nursing home, so i am hoping to feel comfortable, but im still nervous

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

Your best bet is to write out a list of your questions before your clinical begins. Get there a few minutes early to meet other students and see if someone esle knows the abbreviation system there. If you can't figure it out with your fellow students, ask your instructor. Remember - there are no stupid questions. This is your first day of clinical - it's better to arm yourself with knowledge than try to skate by and hope to figure it out - you could get hurt or hurt someone that way.

[ellakate]

I would assume that the number 2 means 2 people. T may mean total, like total care.

FirefightingRN gives good advice. Take nothing for granted in your learning process. Review the procedure manual on Hoyer lifts. The Hoyer lift looks simple, but it can be very dangerous if not properly balanced.

Ask your instructor for an inservice on using the Hoyer lift. We practiced on each other.

[Ruthiegal]

2 means a 2 person lift with the Hoyer lift. "T" most likely means total care. And "B" is most likely bath, day, evening or nights, indicates the shift. Ask someone to be sure when you get there on the last two. And, always have 2 people present when using that lift for safety. Good Luck. I worked LTC for many years...

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

each facility has it own abbreviations and they sometimes vary with the individual. ASK

[sprintin08]

thank you very much everyone!! i will definitely ask everything i am not sure about!