juscallmegrace

I'd say call off for sure and take care of you and your family. I have to go tommorow to inspect a client for head lice. Here is a link for all you could possibly want to know about lice.... http://http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/lice/default.htm

Whew....done. I noticed I am either on one side of the spectrum or the other....I think it's because I am jaded!

With all the news going around about MRSA infections, I got to thinking......if only I could concoct a "curative" lavender scented Vancomycin room spray.... Therefore I ask, what would your most useful nursing device, invention, or concoction be? Hmmmm......Valium "flavored" pixy dust.....attitude adjustment darts (they come in cardiologist strength, surgeon strength, I am the doctor strength and a slew of other effective varieties.

Patience, love, and tolerance.

...Probably hanging from the chandeliers tangled up in my oxygen tubing smoking a cigarette...

I concur with Eric....one of your first stops should be the Roman Catholic religion. Although dreadful, a large majority of the stereotypes you tend to hear about Italians, are true, that's the harsh reality of it all. (btw I am as guinea as they get) I am assuming you are looking for the reality of it all to assist you with what topics to focus on and research, and not a sociology lesson on the perils of stereotyping? (because you can figure out the cultural needs based on the stereotypes:) ). What you will need with Italians is patience, tolerance, and vigillance. Expect to see all the children, the next door neighbor the cousins, parents, nephews and nieces to visit at one time. Expect to take have to take care of the entire family unit along with the patient. Expect mother's doting on their sons and vice versa. Expect to catch somebody sneaking Pasta Fagioli in for Uncle Aldo to eat with his clear liquid diet before his bowel surgery. Don't forget 88 yr. old Aunt Theresa who has been in bed for two weeks with a Foley Catheter trying to get out of bed, to the commode because she just can't pee in that bedpan. Another harsh truth is a large percentage of the men are helpless with zero pain tolerance and the females are codependent. Italian males tend to be abrasive and stoic translation: they are scared of the unknown. There is also the men who are total submissive to Mamma or their wife....usually just to Mamma. Think food, family, rituals, religion, and pride and you'll do just fine...Hope this helps.

Although I may be sounding cynical, what is "required knowledge" ie: knowledge of the human body at a cellular level will NOT benefit your ability to deliver nursing care, pass the NCLEX, or save someones life. In fact, everything I know or learned about the human body was by working and caring for patients, picking the brains of the old timers, asking lots of questions and reading charts. Consider the fact you are gaining a degree and being taught by an Anatomy and Physiology teacher, so only to she or he is it really important, will it be important to you to know what an astrocyte is 5 years from now when you are taking care of people...nope. I am not advocating slouching in your studies for your degree or picketing outside the college in protest. Its just one of those necessary evils required of your nursing program. Relax...take it easy and be sure to take some time out for yourself and your family, it just might help you retain your studies when you return to the books....Good Luck:clown:

Quite simply, Angiomax, more desirable (but BIG price tag) has a short half life, ....about 30 minutes. The half life is more so affected by renal status. As opposed to amount given per se. (Normal renal status=30 minutes.,) Angiomax is weight based in mg/kg dosing and inhibits thrombin. Heparin on the other hand, inhibits prothrombin, and has a longer half life....anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 and a half hours. Wee bit of Heparin=30minutes....something like 10 or 20 units/kg would give you the 30 minute half life, and of course, higher doses increase the half life time. Hospitals like Heparin because its CHEAP. Heparin inhibits prothrombin. In my practice, Angiomax or a drug in the same class Lepirudin, is only used for people with Heparin allergies or HIT (heparin induced thrombocytopenia)