debbers

There are 2 reasons....one is that the body knows it is in trouble and uses the fever to attack whatever is going on. That happens in the beginning of the dying process. Later, it is because the temp is neurological...the brain no longer controls things. It is a temp that cannot be brought down. We use cold cloths for comfort....but are never able to reduce the temp to normal.

Our unit is small, with a small pt load. On day shift each nurse has apprx 4 pts. On night shift we have apprx 6-8 pts. It is wonderful, as there is time for family along with time to adequately meet the needs of the pt.

What is alternative recertification?

I passed mine also.!!!:nuke:

There is a hospice in our area that hires massage therapists. I have no idea how often they work or how they are paid. I am an LMT and LPN....and I happen to work in an inpatient unit in which the unit manager is excited about offering massage to our patients. At present, our company does not hire massage therapists. We are attempting to present it as a needed, beneficial treatment for pts. We write a drs order for it, put it in the poc and mars as a prn treatment. The news travels...from pts and staff. At present, I am going into the unit on my days off...in a paid capacity...just to do massage. It is just so wonderful. I also work the night shift which affords me more time (as a nurse) to offer massage as a treatment....just as I would wound care, SVNS, etc. It is catching on....and I am teaching others to at least administer "comfort touch" to the pts. Very rewarding. debi

Yes...I took it this wknd and am confused.....I thought I was really doing ok...and then I looked in the books when I got home and wondered if I blew it altogether. I do think it takes awhile to get the results...ugh. Hate waiting. debi

i have enclosed a link referring to hospice massage.......it is a growing, needed field for end of life patients. so inspiring....... http://www.massagemag.com/magazine/2005/issue116/hopice.php

we are doing some wonderful things in our hospice that i thought i would share....and to hear back if similar things are being provided patients in other places. we have what we call a "butterfly box" (our unit was designated the butterfly unit by kubler-ross before her death)....when a patient is actively dying we put together a box for the family to take home with them after their loved one dies. they are beautiful boxes...in them we put rocks from the fountain in their room, the journal that has been in their room that pt's family and friends and staff have written in, we collect a tear on gauze, if the family desires, we include a piece of their hair. we include the blanket that has been used by the pt, given to the pt by the unit. and we put in some artificial rose petals. on their doorway we hang a butterfly...which goes in the box after death. we keep a lighted, rock water fountain in each room, play soft music, and use aroma therapy. we are also incorporating massage therapy for pts. i am an lmt....and find it therapeutic for myself...as well as the pt....to add this sort of comfort touch in the last days of life. i will include a link to a site that addresses hospice massage. when pts are restless and afraid...we find that this modality relaxes, calms and reassures a pt that he/she is not alone.... what are some "extras" that some of you are using? http://www.massagemag.com/magazine/2005/issue116/hopice.php hopice massage

I have been studying from that study guide. Is that enough? Do I need to also study the RN study guide? Thx

Hi...new here. I am a massage therapist and nurse with hospice. It is so wonderful...the perfect balance for me of nursing. Just wish there was less paperwork as a nurse and more time as a massage therapist.

Am sitting for the test next wknd......any advice? Are there calculations on that test? Is the study guide adequate?

Hi...I am taking the exam this month, How are you doing with studying?