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Discussion

Common things in ER

I am applying for an ER position and whether I get this one or not, I will continue to try. Before going into a job, I tend to study the most common things seen in that field And common meds given, etc. Coming from my first year as a nurse being in NICU and my 2nd year at a preschool for special needs, my knowledge is limited. I would love to start looking into preparing for the ER!! I know you see and hear everything there, but what is the first thing that pops in your mind that I should refresh on, or know!! Meds, diagnosis, whatever you think needs attention :) if you were my preceptor, what would you expect of me? :) thanks for any help!

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    • Featured Replies

    Common E.R. medications to know or know the toxic effects of:

    Lidocaine, epinephrine, atropine, vasopressin, magnesium, bicarb, ativan, keppra, narcan, succicholine, etomidate, flumazenil, cardizem, nitro, any blood thinner, propofol, versed, fentanyl, morphine, dilaudid, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, magnesium, calcium, potassium, valium, clonidine, zofran, reglan, solumedrol, zantac, benadryl, ... there are more, but that's off the top of my head.

    (from a previous post)

    Here's my list...

    Toe pain. Ankle pain. Knee pain. Hip pain. Back pain. Abdominal pain. Chest pain. Shoulder pain. Neck pain. Tooth pain. Eye pain. Ear pain. Headache. Cough. Dizziness. Bloody nose. Flash burns (eyes). Rash. Allergic reaction.

    Wound discharge/infection. STDs. Cellulitis. DVTs. MI/Heart attack. Bowel obstruction. Nausea/vomiting/diarrhea. Constipation. GI bleed. Bloody urine. Urinary problems. UTI. Catheter problems (PICC, port, PEG, foley, etc). Sepsis. Syncope. Seizures. Miscarriage. lady partsl discharge. lady partsl bleeding. Post operative problems. Fever. General illness. Foreign body (throat, stomach, airway, rectum, etc). Lonely/bored/attention. Altered mental status. Palpitations. Anxiety. Suicide attempt. Psychiatric. Shortness of breath. Abnormal lab (sent by primary care physician). Stroke. Conjunctivitis. Post fall evaluations. Broken bones. Dislocated joints. Motor vehicle collisions. Trauma. Fist fight. Gunshot. Stabbing. Assault. Rape. Homeless/Hungry. Lacerations. Burns. Animal/bug bite. Ring stuck on extremity. Detox evaluation. Overdose. Drug seekers. Prescription refills. Found unresponsive/Mega code. Hypo/hypertension. Hypovolemia. Hyperventilation. Hypo/hyperglycemia. Lice/scabies/ticks/etc. ETOH.

    Typical weekend in my ER!

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    • Experts
    I learned it from a trauma surgeon who was teaching ATLS.

    When I stopped to think about it it is obvious, just not heard it put that way before, I like it and may use it in future. :yes:

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    • Moderator
    That's creative! I was thinking you meant when Hgb is less than four they are more likely to fall on the floor lol

    I was thinking, "one tequila, two tequila, three tequila, floor." lol. :D

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    dilaudid.

    You only said dilaudid once.

    Every once in a while when playing "it starts with a d", I channel sam kinison from back to school in my head "SAY IT!!!!! SAY IT!!!!!!"

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    You only said dilaudid once.

    Every once in a while when playing "it starts with a d", I channel sam kinison from back to school in my head "SAY IT!!!!! SAY IT!!!!!!"

    The most common thing in my ER is hypodilaudism. It's practical an epidemic at this point!

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    A common thing in my ER recently is med surg and low level holds.

    They displaced some nurses and techs due to budget cuts, and because of that they capped units. A 30 bed unit now only holds 24 patients.

    So, the result is people spending the night in the ER because we have nowhere to put them.

    Has anyone else seen this or anything like it in their hospitals?

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    Yup, we have med-surg holds and also have ICU holds. If there's nowhere to put them, what can you do but keep them? And the incoming pts just keep on coming regardless of whether or not we are on diversion.

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    Sin casa syndrome very popular especially when cold or raining

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