mellowish

The nursing blues do go away!!

Hi, I wanted to ask about chest drain's, as it's never been one of my strong points. I understand the rationale for chest drain insertion & the basic's of the chest drain (To get rid of air/fluid & for the lung to re expand) but could someone please explain how the chest drain work's? & Is it normal for there to be some bubbling? Also, when the patient is inhaling & exhaling, I got taught that you should a swing on the chest drain but if there isn't a swing, then that's bad? But I thought if the lung was expanding again, then the swinging should start to cease? Any help would be much appreciated :).

Hi! Could someone pls explain how the Nervous System is divided pls? I know it's separated into the Central Nervous System (BRain & Spinal Chord) & then the Peripheral Nervous System, but then how are the Autonomic Nervous System, the Parasympathetic Nervous System etc related as well? Thank u!

I think clamped is the same as spigotted. Spigotted, is when we put a bung on to the end of the NG (it's called a spigot). & Free drainage, is when the NG is placed onto a bag so we can see what contents are draining out like , stomach content etc. I've never heard or seen a NG being suctioned though? ^^.

Hi! I don't have much experience of looking after patient's with NG/NJ tubes, but sometimes they're either on free drainage or spigotted. Free drainage, is from what I've gathered usually if the patient has been complaining of a lot of nausea & vomiting. What about spigotted? I've seen it spigotted, when they've given medication via the NG for absorption but what other reasons are there for it to be spigotted? Is it in relation to the bowels working? Thank you :)!

I would learn the common meds that always seem to be used on most ward environment's e.g. the analgesia's, antibiotics etc & As carebear said, the drugs relevant to your area of care whether it be cardiac, respiratory etc :). Best of Luck!!

Hey, I agree, I wished I'd gotten some experience of the hospital environment before to see what it was like & to get a flavour of the place. I did do a week's work experience (Work experience in the hospital was very hard to get) but it was on elderly outpatient's. & I'd done more research into it, to get a better understanding of what I would need... E.g. A refresher course in Biology or something like that !

Hi! I don't have much experience of looking after patient's with NG/NJ tubes, but sometimes they're either on free drainage or spigotted. Free drainage, is from what I've gathered usually if the patient has been complaining of a lot of nausea & vomiting. What about spigotted? I've seen it spigotted, when they've given medication via the NG for absorption but what other reasons are there for it to be spigotted? Is it in relation to the bowels working? Thank you :)!

Hi, I've been going back to my basic biology, but I'm getting confused/finding it hard to understand intra cellular, extra cellular... The usage of crystalloid/colloids? Osmosis/Diffusion... Ion's... Basically a big topic in itself. Can anyone please offer a helping hand to understanding these basics again or know of any websites? Thank you!

Hi! I've recently completed a study session on chest auscultation & the lecturer told us to try it out in practice & 6o also use the look, listen, feel approach when assessing the chest. I've been trying to find links to do with chest auscultation, but I was wondering can anyone offer any advice/tips on the topic or any websites please? Thank you.

Hi, I've been qualified since Sept. & Working in a critical care environment for the past 2 months but I've been finding the transition from student to a staff nurse, very difficult & At times overwhelming. I feel like I've forgotten what I've learnt during nursing school & When I'm on shift I stress/worry over little things or I feel like I should know more then I do (The phrase... Running before walking, springs to mind.). Do these feelings go away with time? I'm finding it hard, as in real life I'm not a worrier or a stress head, but coming to work... & It's a completely different side of me. The staff I work with are lovely & have been very helpful & My preceptor, has tried her best to help me settle in... But will it be OK with time?