First Clinical--Pulmonary Unit

[studentrn2014]

Hi everyone,

I start my first clinicals this week on the Pulmonary Unit. Does anyone have any suggestions on what I should look up so I am prepared to be on the floor. I am really nervous, but I am pretty sure that is normal. I am just trying to calm the nerves by advice/suggestions on what to expect so I am not completely blindsided when I go in. Thank you in advance

[turnforthenurse, MSN, NP]

Look into respiratory disorders, such as pneumonia, TB, asthma/COPD/emphysema, and lung cancer. Do you know if the unit will have patients on long-term ventilators? If not, you might see patients with tracheostomies. It is normal to feel nervous as this is your first clinical! Just ask questions and help out on the unit - if you're patient is okay and you have nothing else to do, help answer call lights. If other nurses are doing things on the unit, such as starting an IV or doing tracheostomy suctioning/care, ask if you can watch (with the patient's permission, of course). Use every opportunity as a learning opportunity! Good luck!

[bear14]

Also look up cystic fibrosis too.

[BlueEyedGuy]

Chest tubes maybe?

[studentrn2014]

Thank you for the advice. It's so nice to hear that it is normal to be nervous. I am so glad there is a site like this to help me realize I am not alone. thank you all

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

Understand the difference between SpO2 (peripheral oxygen saturation) and PaO2 (arterial oxygen level).

For extra points, understand why the patient with an SpO2 of 95% and a hematocrit of 18 has less oxygen going to his cells than a patient with a SpO2 of 95% and a hematocrit of 36. People often see the 95% and think everything's cool, because they don't know to pay attention to this.