just a question.....

nightmare, RN · Apr 4, 2008

Don't know if this is the offical answer but it takes longer to drink through a straw than gulping down a drink,thus the iodine will be visible for longer.

kad13579 · Apr 4, 2008

That would be for thyroid treatment? Why would it have to stay visible?

nightmare, RN · Apr 4, 2008

Oops think I was thinking about thyroid imaging!!

june2009 · Apr 4, 2008

Iodine can stain the teeth, drinking through a straw will keep the iodine from getting on the teeth. You do the same thing with iron preperations.

My guess on the other question is that you want fowler's position because respiratory complications can happen with edema of the throat. Keep the HOB elevated to increase breathing ability.

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Apr 5, 2008

I happen to know this because I was one of the "lucky" patients who had to take radioactive iodine 131. You are correct. It is given through a straw because it will discolor the teeth. And, since I also had two thyroidectomies, you position the patient with their head up as high as possible to keep swelling at a minimum. I guess your best answer choice would be "D". Fowler's with a pillow might cut off the airway. Maintaining a patent airway is a concern in these patients due to all the swelling in the neck after surgery. As I recall, they wouldn't let me have a pillow. A trach tray is also kept at the bedside in case of a respiratory obstruction emergency.

kad13579 · Apr 5, 2008

daytonite, you are so wise! that was the right answer about the pillow. thank you so much. i understand the rational now that you explained it to me.

let me ask you a question--i know that this is another topic on here, but i would like to have your opinion. what do you think about nurses and dr.s not taking full precautions with mrsa pts.? do you think if there is a gown/glove box on the door that everyone who enters the room should have to utilize it?

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Apr 5, 2008

Yes. It's for our protection. If they don't use precautions they are subjecting themselves and everyone else on the staff to the MRSA. How very kind of them, don't you think? I don't care if they get the bug, but I would appreciate them not passing it on to me.

june2009 · Apr 5, 2008

I have to agree with Daytonite on that one. The hospital that I am doing clinicals is totally lax on enforcing precautions, except for the fact that they are now going to require all VRE + pts. to wear a bracelet stating that they are vre +. What's that going to do when no one follows the precautions anyway.

Other facilities I have been to make sure there is a cart with personal protective equipment outside the patients room with the patient's own disposable BP cuff, stethescope, and thermometer in the patient's room. And you had better use that stuff. If you are caught not following precautions, there are serious repercussions. That goes for nurses, aides, houskeeping, and physicians. if you ask me that's the way it should be. I have small children and I would be seriously upset if I inadvertantly took something home to them like MRSA or VRE. And people have died for this very reason. Children included. Back in january, my son contracted a resistent strain of strep pneumoniae and became septic and almost died. He was fine in the a.m. and within hours, he was deathly ill. He was at children's hospital in pittsburgh for quite some time, and in critical care for a few days. That infection came from somewhere. His doctors and I aren't sure where. I am always very careful about not hugging or even touching my children until I have changed my clinical and work cloths, taken off my own stethescope with alcohol and thouroughly wash my hands. It only takes one slip up from one person.