March 2008 NCLEX support group

[Silverdragon102]

A thread for all those in March who are planning to take the NCLEX offering both support and any hints or tips that help

Good luck to all

[reem23]

Hi!Thank you very much for sharing this very informative review stuff.God bless you.

[igmirnor]

Hi Reem23

Welcome to March 2008 support group... we are reviewing all systems would you be interested in joining us??

[reem23]

Hi!Yes I would like to join the group.I regret I am late, I have noticed you 've started the review since two days ago.It's been a short while I didn't visit this forum since I registered my name here.

[reem23]

Hi Guys

Just a gentle reminder.... the person incharge of the day's review has to actively post so that we can all benefit... so if someone cannot or wont be able to do this just let us know ...someone else will do it!!

Thank you for understanding!!...I hope this helps us,....

I have seen a mnemonic for antidysrhythmic drugs... PROFESSOR QUACKER SOMETHING... DOES ANYONE KNOW THE LINK??

No I don't know that,would you please post it here.Thanks a lot!

[reem23]

Yes,very much willing to join the group.Thanks.

[igmirnor]

I'll add you with a date and topic to review...

[reem23]

PLEASE include me also..im waitng for my att and im planning to take my exam 1st or 2nd week of march.. Im doing self study..thanks..

Please include me too.My ATT already came thru email attachment.Just I finished my review w/ A+ Review Online and doing ATI Q/A online.My exam on march 17.Thanks.

[LeaRN2008]

Hi guys sorry haven't been here for a while just started my new job and been kinda busy. Just seen where I'm supposed to do renal meds. Sorry not much info on subject but check out this site www.flashcardexchange.com have to be a member to copy print but you can review whats there and you can also copy and paste to word if you want. I'll try to post more when i get a chance sorry again.

Lea Anne

[igmirnor]

hi

some notes on diet in renal disease

for every patient with renal disorder:

sodium restrictions are paramount. it is literally impossible to take in no sodium, because that's an element found in so many foods, but it is possible to limit the amount in a diet. first, obviously high sodium foods must be eliminated. these include cured meats (ham, sausage, bacon, corned beef, and the like), most cheeses, "fast" foods, pickles, bouillon cubes, soy sauce, and most chinese or oriental foods.

sodium hides in most commercially prepared foods, too; because salt is such a good preservative, it's used in packaging materials for cereal, bread, baking mixes, and most canned vegetables. this makes fresh food a wiser choice.

even though it feels like a lot has been eliminated from diet choices (yes, pizza is tough to work into a low sodium eating plan) there are a myriad of ways to prepare delicious meals without high sodium content.

• choose naturally low-sodium foods. as a rule, white cheeses are a safer bet than cheddar. choose mozzarella, parmesan, ricotta, and look for low-salt varieties of your favorites. all unprocessed meats, poultry, and fish are acceptable. all fresh and frozen vegetables, all fruits and juices, and well-rinsed canned vegetables are suitable.

homemade soups and noodles are healthier than the pre-made ones.

• look for no or low-salt versions of your favorite foods: tuna packed in water rather than oil, salt-free pretzels, unseasoned popcorn (dress up with chili powder, parmesan cheese, and a little garlic powder), no-salt butter are some examples.

• collect a good selection of no-sodium seasonings; these can surprise people with spicy, robust taste independent of any salt.

• keep an eye out for quick and easy low-sodium recipes for your favorite foods, and stock your pantry with the ingredients.

fluids must be restricted. your physician will set a limit for you, somewhere between four and eight cups maximum per day. fluid is defined as anything that melts at room temperature, so in addition to water and juices, you must count ice cream, gelatin desserts, sherbet, and watermelon.

potassium counts, too, and it's harder to control for several reasons. you can't taste it, like you can salt, it's not a required item to be listed in the nutritional contents of packaged food, and it's in many foods.

the highest potassium amounts are found in nuts, avocados, potatoes, winter squash including pumpkin, oranges, kiwi, peaches, apricots, and anything dried -- fruits, beans and lentils.

low potassium foods, safest to include frequently in a renal patient's diet, include applesauce, black berries, grapes, tangerines, canned pears and plums; asparagus, green or waxed beans, corn, cauliflower, cucumbers, water chestnuts, and summer squash. juices such as apple, cranberry, lemonade, grape, and fruit-flavored drinks are okay; just remember to count them in your fluid total for the day.

protein plays an important role in the diet of any kidney patient. for those who are pre-dialysis, the amount must be limited to conserve kidney strength. after dialysis begins, however, protein needs to make up the major portion of the patient's menu, and the guideline will be set as a minimum, rather than a maximum amount per day -- as much as 2 grams per kilogram of body weight. the physician will determine the recommended amount for each person, depending on their over all health and their specific needs.

phosphorous begins to be a consideration once dialysis begins, also. foods to avoid based upon phosphorous content are dairy products, whole grains, bran and barley, nuts, coconut, figs and dates, raisins, salmon, sardines, oysters, and organ meats.

cola drinks are also high in phosphorous, but soft drinks that are light colored (7-up and sprite, club soda) are fine.

meat, poultry, fish and eggs are high in phosphorous, but are still an important part of the dialysis patient's diet because of the protein content; they should not be limited.

patients who are in stage 5, the last stage of kidney disease, need dialysis to live. this stage is also known as end stage renal disease or esrd. the kidneys are working at less than 10% capacity. this means your kidneys cannot process the accumulated waste and fluid your body produces on a day-to-day basis. dialysis is required to take over for the failed kidneys. dialysis is needed indefinitely or until a kidney transplant is possible.

dialysis treatments remove protein waste from the blood. a low protein diet is no longer needed to control protein waste buildup since this is accomplished by dialysis. unfortunately, some amino acids are removed during dialysis. a higher protein intake is needed to replace dialysis protein lost and to help keep you well nourished and healthy.

because of the importance of limiting the amount of phosphorous in the blood stream, physicians will usually prescribe a "phosphate binder,"-- such as tums--to be taken in prescribed doses with each meal.

while it seems like an inordinate amount of food has been eliminated from a wise menu plan for persons with renal failure, it is possible to have a healthy and delicious variety of food every day. a daily plan based on the amount of protein recommended for the individual patient, complemented by fresh, low-potassium fruits and vegetables and supplemented by low salt snacks, not only tastes wonderful, but is worth the effort in the life-saving health benefits achieved.

[igmirnor]

hi guys check this out

http://www.davita.com/kidney_animation/

[igmirnor]

If someone wants to add or subtract ... they may just an addition ...why would you restrict protein in some renal cases while allow it in some...

Protein and the stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD)

The five stages of CKD are defined by the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), a measure of how much blood the kidneys are able to filter. This rate tells you and your doctor how well your kidneys are functioning.

In Stage 1 of CKD, glomerular filtration rate is 90 or above, which is normal. However, abnormal levels of protein are detected in the urine. In Stage 2 of CKD, GFR is 60-89, a mild decrease from normal. In Stage 3, there is a moderate decrease in GFR to 30-59. In Stage 4, GFR is severely decreased to 15-29.

Stage 5 of CKD occurs when GFR drops below 15, and the kidneys have very little function left, this is end stage renal disease.

Although Stage 4 indicates a severe decrease in kidney function, you are still able to live without dialysis. Kidneys are damaged, but are able to filter some waste and excess fluid from the blood. Since there is no cure for kidney disease, the primary focus is keeping you well nourished and reducing protein waste build up in the blood. Excess protein waste can cause nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, weakness, taste changes and itching.

The most important treatments to prolong renal function are blood pressure control and attention to protein in the diet. If you have diabetes, blood sugar control is also important. By regulating the amount of protein you eat, your kidneys process less protein waste, which reduces waste build up in the blood. It also reduces the workload on the kidneys, and may slow down the progression of kidney failure. Your diet will include a prescribed amount of high quality protein foods. This is to be sure you are getting enough essential amino acids each day.

If you are in stages 1, 2, or 3 of CKD, your protein intake may be limited to 12-15% of your calorie intake each day. This is the same level recommended by the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) for a healthy diet for normal adults. It may seem like a restriction because the average American eats a high protein diet. If you are in stage 4 of CKD, you may be advised to reduce protein to 10% of calorie intake each day. Your dietitian will assess your nutritional status and calorie intake to help determine if a lower protein diet is beneficial.

Patients who are in stage 5, the last stage of kidney disease, need dialysis to live. This stage is also known as end stage renal disease or ESRD. The kidneys are working at less than 10% capacity. This means your kidneys cannot process the accumulated waste and fluid your body produces on a day-to-day basis. Dialysis is required to take over for the failed kidneys. Dialysis is needed indefinitely or until a kidney transplant is possible.

Dialysis treatments remove protein waste from the blood. A low protein diet is no longer needed to control protein waste buildup since this is accomplished by dialysis. Unfortunately, some amino acids are removed during dialysis. A higher protein intake is needed to replace dialysis protein lost and to help keep you well nourished and healthy.

[igmirnor]

Hi

Check this out