AmyCardsNP

AmyCardsNP RN, NP

Cardiology

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All Content by AmyCardsNP

  1. How Cardiac meds r/t BP and HR

    AmyCardsNP replied to Twisted Nurse's topic in Cardiac

    I think a spreadsheet is a great way to study all of the cardiac meds. Rather than memorizing each drug, learn HOW the class of drugs works in the body.... it will be easier to remember side effects...

  2. does your cath lab use a safety strap/belt to secure patient to cath lab table?

    AmyCardsNP replied to STemi's topic in Cardiac

    We use velcro straps to secure high risk patients to the cath table for angiograms. Deciding who is "high risk" is at the discretion of the staff in the room. Personally, I consider any patient who is...

  3. What to do with your rings when you scrub?

    AmyCardsNP posted a topic in Operating Room

    Hey everyone- I was wondering what you do with your rings when you scrub? I don't scrub all day long and I don't like being without my rings all day, so leaving them at home or in my locker isn't...

  4. What to do with your rings when you scrub?

    AmyCardsNP replied to AmyCardsNP's topic in Operating Room

    Thanks for the replies everyone - I don't work in a sterile environment all day (I float back and forth), so I would like to be able to wear my rings for the hours that I am not which is why I was...

  5. Advanced Practice Opportunities for OR Nurses. What to do!

    AmyCardsNP replied to The Guy's topic in Operating Room

    As a nurse with experience in an inpatient area as well as a procedural area (as well as a current NP student), I would say that floor nursing will give you a better background for what your long term...

  6. how many calories do you think we burn during a 12 hour shift?

    AmyCardsNP replied to shopaholic42488's topic in Health, Stress Management

    I wear a pedometer (http://fitbit.com) every day to work and depending on how busy I am in the ICU, I walk anywhere from 2-6 miles in a 12 hour shift. It's great to see how far I've walked during the...

  7. Annual Arrhythmia competency testing

    AmyCardsNP replied to PrairieRN's topic in CCU, Coronary, Cardiac

    ACLS recertification does not require you to know rhythm interpretation to pass. It only requires that you recognize fatal rhythms (Vtach, Vfib, Asystole). They do cover heart blocks, afib, aflutter,...

  8. Once Bitten Twice Shy

    AmyCardsNP posted a topic in General Nursing

    Yesterday, I had a new experience as a nurse.... I was bitten by a patient. I was team leading (same as a relief charge nurse) & helping another nurse admit a patient to the ICU from the cath...

  9. Discontinued/held current medsor never started home meds

    AmyCardsNP replied to nightshift82's topic in CCU, Coronary, Cardiac

    It doesn't sound like you use electronic charting yet at your facility, and when you transition, it gets a lot easier to keep track of medications that your patient is on. Instead of having to flip...

  10. Are swans going "out of style?"

    AmyCardsNP replied to TemperStripe's topic in MICU, SICU

    It seems to me that the use of Swans depends on the physicians in the unit. I primarily work in a CVICU and all of our patients come back with swans in place s/p open heart surgery. Although, when we...

  11. Creatinine levels and need for dialysis

    AmyCardsNP replied to sim-sim future nurse's topic in General Nursing

    I definitely agree with traumaRUs's reply - there are a number of factors that go into deciding if a patient needs dialysis. In my unit, we recently started new dialysis on someone whose Crt was only...

  12. NCLEX in different state than graduation state??

    AmyCardsNP replied to jrlh4421's topic in General Nursing

    I graduated in Illinois and took the NCLEX (and am practicing) in Arizona. I didnt have any issues with the

  13. Uniforms and dress codes

    AmyCardsNP replied to inkedRN's topic in General Nursing

    We rolled out the same thing about 2 years ago... all of the nurses wear red tops, techs wear navy blue, unit clerks wear teal, etc, etc. When we all learned we were going to have to start wearing...

  14. Heat/cool w/ CVC?

    AmyCardsNP replied to MrBubbles's topic in CCU, Coronary, Cardiac

    We induce hypothermia on patients post witnessed cardiac arrest using external blankets. The way I've often seen patients "go to crap" during the rewarming phase is resultant from electrolyte shifts....

  15. PCRN or CCRN

    AmyCardsNP replied to june2009's topic in CCU, Coronary, Cardiac

    The CCRN has a lot of questions on swans, ABG interpretations, titrating mutliple vasoactive drips at one time, and ventilator weaning. I think the PCCN would be a great test for you to take with your...

  16. Do you keep your license(s) in your wallet?

    AmyCardsNP replied to phoenixrn's topic in General Nursing

    I have copies of all the cards in my wallet, but not the

  17. I am allergic to...

    AmyCardsNP replied to SteffersRN87's topic in General Nursing

    I had a patient that reported to be allergic to potassium... and another patient who reported to be allergic to insulin. How do their bodies work?!?!?

  18. Question about Pay

    AmyCardsNP replied to SuesquatchRN's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    Agreed. Our managers only make a few dollars an hour more than the staff

  19. b/p ?

    AmyCardsNP replied to erin01's topic in CCU, Coronary, Cardiac

    When deciding to hold BP meds, in a situation like you are describing, there are so many different factors, as I'm sure you're aware of. Of course, you want to look at your physician order... did...

  20. Questions about PA pressures

    AmyCardsNP replied to aCRNAhopeful's topic in CCU, Coronary, Cardiac

    I have seen many more positive outcomes based on swan readings than negative outcomes from having a swan in place during my years in CVICU. So often we look at our PA pressures, CVP, and CI to let us...

  21. An ICU With No Techs

    AmyCardsNP replied to Sonia,RN's topic in General Nursing

    Our CVICU has one tech, he works 4 days a week from 4am-2pm. He has no patient care responsibilities (does no accuchecks or call-light answering) but is responsible for our supply room and equipment,...

  22. SLED (Sustained Low Efficiency Dialysis)

    AmyCardsNP posted a topic in CCU, Coronary, Cardiac

    Is anyone doing SLED on their units? I just recently got certified to run it and was wondering how it was going for everyone else. A lot of alarms/issues while running?

  23. what?...q 15 NIBPs with an art line???

    AmyCardsNP replied to ICUmama's topic in MICU, SICU

    Could you explain your rationale for taking a cuff pressure every hour? I'm curious to the benefit for the patient if your Aline is

  24. SLED (Sustained Low Efficiency Dialysis)

    AmyCardsNP replied to AmyCardsNP's topic in CCU, Coronary, Cardiac

    I said that for ULTRAFILTRATION alone, (aka aquaphoresis) the patients are not 1:1. Using the aquadex system, there is only 33ml of blood in the circuit and the manufacturers website states that 1:1...

  25. How do I apply to a job in Critical Care.

    AmyCardsNP replied to SunshineBSN's topic in CCU, Coronary, Cardiac

    Looks like jobs in ICUs for new grads are becoming harder and harder to come by in this economy. You may want to start looking (if you haven't started already) for a job on another unit, assuming...