ICU Essentials!

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hello all

i was just wondering if any of you experienced icu nurses would mind helping me out. i am a 4th semester student about to start in icu and i was hoping you could give me some basics to know before starting.

ie. commonly used meds, abbrevs., vital labs, or any other advice or tips you can think of.

thanks so much!

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Good things to know when first starting out....

Labs:

at least: BMP (Chem7), CBC, PT/INR/PTT, ABG's

Vent:

modes, such as A/C or CMV, SIMV, CPAP

gtts:

Levophed or Norepi, Neo or Phenylephrine, Dopamine

very common meds:

Propofol, protonix, Klor or KCl (iv) Magsulfate (iv), amp Calcium Chloride, Colace/ Docusate, etc.

Learn some basic protocols, like:

Insulin gtt, Heparin gtt, electrolyte replacement protocols (if present at institution), etc.

Remember, always do a thorough assessment--you're the one who's most in tune with everything going on with your patients, and can notice very subtle changes.

Buena suerte!

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Specializes in gen icu/ neuro icu/ trauma icu/hdu.

Just one address that has most of what you need in an easy to read even fun to read format. www.icufaqs.org.

That and an ability to take something positive out of every situation, even if it is just "we gave them our best and their best chance" or "we gave them back what dignity we could".

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thanks so much!

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Just one address that has most of what you need in an easy to read even fun to read format. www.icufaqs.org.

That and an ability to take something positive out of every situation, even if it is just "we gave them our best and their best chance" or "we gave them back what dignity we could".

This is the only one you'll need besides a stethoscope.

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Specializes in ICU,CCU,MICU.
Good things to know when first starting out....

Labs:

at least: BMP (Chem7), CBC, PT/INR/PTT, ABG's

Vent:

modes, such as A/C or CMV, SIMV, CPAP

gtts:

Levophed or Norepi, Neo or Phenylephrine, Dopamine

very common meds:

Propofol, protonix, Klor or KCl (iv) Magsulfate (iv), amp Calcium Chloride, Colace/ Docusate, etc.

Learn some basic protocols, like:

Insulin gtt, Heparin gtt, electrolyte replacement protocols (if present at institution), etc.

Remember, always do a thorough assessment--you're the one who's most in tune with everything going on with your patients, and can notice very subtle changes.

Buena suerte!

I think this a good list. The thorough assessment is key. I do an initial head to toe first thing and multiple focused assessments throughout my shift. Labs/ABGs are vital, they tell you so much about your pt. BMP/CBC are musts. Vent, are they weaning, having trouble weaning, acidotic/alkalotic?. Gtts-Levo, epi, vasopressin, amio, dopamine, neo, etc. If you have gtts look them up, know them, know the ranges for titration, etc. And good luck and have fun.

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I precept many students during their last rotation in nursing school so here are just a few additional ideas besides the excellent ones that were already posted.

1.Know why your patient is there.

2.Complete head to toe assessment and alert the nurse of any changes that you might witness. Please remember the only dumb question is the one that is not asked.

3.Confirm if applicable ett markings and ng or og placement and residuals.

4.Look at blood sugars and relate why they might be high like steroids, surgery or possibly the need for a diabetic tube feed or maybe this patient needs to be placed on a insulin scale.

5.If you are going to swab the pt's mouth please have suction hooked up espically if they are T/V. Mouth care in the ICU is critical.

6.Know critical lab values and if replacment has occured does it need rechecked and when.

7.Zero all lines if needed and record.

8. Flush all lines and record if no blood return.

9.Find out if anything intresting will occur in the unit that day and let your intructor know,this way you might get to watch.

10.Let your nurse know when you go to lunch or break and what you have not gotten to. This helps build trust.

11.Please ask if pt needs to be bathed so many students seem to over look this important factor.

12.If passing meds be ready and know why they are getting them if you are not sure at least ask.

13.Keep your room clean.

14.Let your nurse know if you are taking the chart somewhere other than the designated area.

15.This is a huge pet pieve of mine let your nurse have her seat when she needs to chart.

16.Enjoy and get the most out of every day I hope this helps.

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