kataraang BSN

kataraang has 8 years experience as a BSN and specializes in critical care ICU.

Latest Activity

1. 

   DKA/HHNK

   kataraang replied to valx92's topic in Critical

   Wow. That patient should have been started on fluids the second they rolled through that door. We have a DKA/HHS protocol in place. It's really useful.
2. 

   What city do you work in and how much do you get paid hourly?

   kataraang replied to Mortaaaay's topic in General Nursing

   Baltimore MD. 3 years experience. $34.85; night diff 4.59. Weekend diff 2.50.
3. 

   What does the floor really think of nursing students?

   kataraang replied to superduper's topic in General Nursing

   I love students! ? I have rarely had a bad experience with one. To see their excitement when they learn a new skill or see something they learned about in "real life" is awesome. I'm actually getting my masters in nursing education.
4. 

   Can I get into the ICU?

   kataraang replied to Reaz's topic in Critical

   Hello, I came from a telemetry/intermediate care before I switched to a medical ICU. I stayed at tele for 2 years before applying for ICU. I found that it gave me enough time to really get my assessment/basic nursing skills up to par to handle a crit...
5. 

   Who is watching the monitor?

   kataraang replied to ICURN92's topic in Critical

   We have monitors along the walls throughout the unit, not just at the desk. Each hallway has 2 monitors at each end. From any computer, you can see monitors. No patient names, just room numbers.
6. 

   Nursing with RA

   kataraang replied to ehamlin92's topic in Disabilities

   Hello, I was just diagnosed with RA in March. I am a full time ICU nurse. I've been in practice about 2 years now. RA affects individuals very differently so it kind of depends. For me, I was wearing a boot on my ankle and needed PT (while still work...
7. 

   hypothermia in C6 Spinal injury

   kataraang replied to kataraang's topic in CCU

   Altered mental status. He had infected wounds needing debridement and IV antibiotics. He was a little altered during this time, not as responsive as baseline, HR dropping to 40s occasionally. The next day after rewarming he was more interactive.
8. 

   hypothermia in C6 Spinal injury

   kataraang posted a topic in CCU

   Patient with C6 spinal injury from 10 years ago with autonomic dysreflexia. MAPs ranging from 40s to 80s, HR as low as 45. His documented temps had been normal but when I came on shift it was 32.7. I tried it oral, axillary, rectal (though he has fle...
9. 

   Med error and Pyxis

   kataraang replied to Michnurse1's topic in Medications

   ***Always check policy, asking a manager would be a good idea. Proper practice vs. what actually happens varies. But in my experience, there are times where I don't return to the pyxis..Like if a patient decides after I have opened the med that they ...
10. 

    Who gets the write up?

    kataraang replied to kosmopolitan's topic in MICU

    That is confusing...most central lines are at least a double if not triple lumen. So you could have levo and vanc running in their own primary lines. There shouldn't be any mixing of them, because while vanc is running as a piggy back, none of the le...
11. 

    Accused of not giving dilaudid

    kataraang replied to KMULL002's topic in General Nursing

    I had a patient file a formal complaint and threatened legal action because I didn't flush before and after a med (total lie), that I gave his med late (he refused it at the scheduled time), and that I acted "annoyed" at him. It bothered me for a few...
12. 

    Nurses with SelfHarm Scars

    kataraang replied to redheadrn86's topic in Disabilities

    I have never been asked before, but I have a feeling they have been noticed. Fluorescent light is the WORST for making them visible. I think they are probably worse looking to me than to most others. 99% of people probably don't care. But I notice I ...
13. 

    Stepdown / IMU

    kataraang replied to Wayne47's topic in Critical

    I work in the IMCU. It's a 1:4 ratio. Vitals q4. Most patient on tele but occasionally one isn't (usually med-surg overflow, or patients who have stabilized enough and are near discharge). We do some drips (such as nitro, dobutamine, lasix, amio, dil...
14. 

    How do you pronounce CITRATE?

    kataraang replied to Pseudonym's topic in General Nursing

    Personally I say "sit-trate"
15. 

    "untestable" on NIHSS

    kataraang replied to kataraang's topic in General Nursing

    Thank you everyone! A lot more clarity for me now. I will also ask my unit educator. Seems like I should have scored 4. She had almost no voluntary movement on left (though sensation intact). She at times could wiggle a toe but it wasn't always. Noth...