Nursing 10 years ago

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I was just wondering what nursing was like 10years ago and how has it changed?

Checking with an air bolus makes a lot more sense and is quicker. The other way you'd have to secure the tube, check the pH, and if it's not in the right place undo everything and start over.

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Specializes in MSN, FNP-BC.
almost everyone w/ belly pain gets a CT now...

they don't teach air bolus to check NGT placement...they want you to test the pH :uhoh3:

They taught us to do both. Do the air bolus and then pull back on the syringe to get a gastric sample for pH testing. It's still out there.

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Okay, when I drop an NG I'm in ER mode....drop it asap and move on!

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Specializes in Nurse Educator; Family Nursing.

check the ph of what??

check the ph of stomach secretions. after placing an ng tube you check placement by auscultating as you inject air and listen for "bubbles", but you also aspirate secretions and check ph with litmus paper. aspirate with ph of 4 or less is expected.

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Specializes in Advanced Practice, surgery.

This is the guidence we use in the UK for NG tube placement

http://www.npsa.nhs.uk/site/media/documents/857_Insert-finalWeb.pdf

10 years ago I still wore a starched nurses cap and apron

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Specializes in Nurse Educator; Family Nursing.

You want a trip down memory lane?. . .

When I graduated from nurses training, CPR had not been invented. Nurses were not taught to interpret EKGs (woe be unto those who had the temerity to suggest that a mere nurse could do such a thing. We wore caps, dress uniforms and stood when the MD entered the nurses station.

Disposable syringes had just become available. We were still recycling catheters (CSR cleaned and set up catheter trays).

Moms stayed 4 days for a first born and three days for a multip. C/S moms often stayed a week.

Chest suction was three bottles attached to wall suction. Chest tubes were milked every 15 minutes on fresh post op open hearts.

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You want a trip down memory lane?. . .

You're not playing fair!!! The OP said ten years! :lol2:

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Specializes in midwifery, NICU.
Check the pH of what??

Stomach acid aspirated from the tube. we do this prior to each NG/OG feed.

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Specializes in midwifery, NICU.
Checking with an air bolus makes a lot more sense and is quicker. The other way you'd have to secure the tube, check the pH, and if it's not in the right place undo everything and start over.

Tazzi..yes you have a point, it is faster, but in neonates now, air bolus and auscultation is a big no-no!

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I can say it in one sentence. Higher patient loads with shorter stays and patients that are a lot sicker.

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Check the pH of the gastric content...

Check the pH of stomach secretions.

Stomach acid aspirated from the tube

*waving white flag* Okay, guys....I got it, I got it!!! ER nurse, remember? I drop 'em and ship 'em!

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*waving white flag* Okay, guys....I got it, I got it!!! ER nurse, remember? I drop 'em and ship 'em!
Hee, hee I did not post because I figured there would be quite a large number of people answering that one.
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