zambezi BSN, RN

CCU (Coronary Care); Clinical Research

Member

  • Content

    935

  • Visitors

    12,091

  • Followers

    0

  • Likes

    12

All Content by zambezi

  1. zambezi

    post-op cabg care

    zambezi replied to jetty's topic in CCU, Coronary, Cardiac

    We still use swans on 99.9 % of our cabg patients...the only time we don't is if it is a young person (20's) with say a VSD or ASD repair... We usually pull our swans out the next day or two days out...
  2. zambezi

    CCU nurses performing their own CVVHD?

    zambezi replied to darinda's topic in Dialysis, Renal, Urology

    Hello...there are other threads on this very subject in either the SICU or CCU forums... But to answer your question, we run our own, but the dialysis RNs set up and prime the machine..we have to know...
  3. zambezi

    Insulin protocol---Q 1 hour accu checks

    zambezi replied to VAC's topic in MICU, SICU

    We are also doing this...however depending on the stability of the CBSs we are doing checks q 1-2 hours...our population is post cardiac surgery...though we are starting to see it more on our medical...
  4. zambezi

    question for school nurses about "teaching"

    zambezi replied to sweetyjen's topic in School

    These are some good ideas...I definately like the idea of an informal session to figure out what the target audience wants to hear is a good idea. When i did this type of assignment we also discussed...
  5. zambezi

    Work Ethic?

    zambezi replied to abundantjoy07's topic in Nursing Career

    For me, it is all about enjoying what I do and why I do it... I keep motivated by continuing to enjoy things and the people that I work with. I keep motivated by continuing my education (currently...
  6. zambezi

    Open Heart 1:1

    zambezi replied to zenman's topic in CCU, Coronary, Cardiac

    That is totally crazy (and unsafe) IMHO...Thank goodness it wouldn't happen where I work!! There wasn't an easier pair that could have been made?? You must be superwoman (or
  7. zambezi

    Blake tube removal post CABG

    zambezi replied to cabgrn2's topic in CCU, Coronary, Cardiac

    We can pull the mediastinal chest tubes but anything pleural, even blake tubes, are pulled by the surgeon or PA. We typically keep our CT in unitl the second post op day--but may be moving to the...
  8. zambezi

    ETT tape and tape changes

    zambezi replied to Celia M's topic in CCU, Coronary, Cardiac

    We still use tape...we tried the holders for awhile but for some reason didn't stick with them. Our RTs usually change the tape...and the side that the tube is on...usually about every 2-3 days or...
  9. zambezi

    post-op cabg care

    zambezi replied to jetty's topic in CCU, Coronary, Cardiac

    Post op our typical patients have running: d5lr 30cc Kcl gtt typically 2.5-5cc Propoful 0-10cc Fentanyl gtt 0-10 cc Vasoactives as needed We can use hespan or albumin for volume as necessary...
  10. zambezi

    Alcohol Withdrawl

    zambezi replied to zambezi's topic in General Nursing

    Thanks for your response...While I don't know exactly what the CIWA scale stands for...we use a protocol similar to what you have mentioned...with the B Vits/ lots of ativan as needed/ and the...
  11. zambezi

    Alcohol Withdrawl

    zambezi replied to zambezi's topic in General Nursing

    Thanks for all of the replies..it sounds like we do pretty much what everyone else does...haldol/ativan/librium/vitamins I think that we are also going to be trying valium... I work in CCU and it sure...
  12. zambezi

    If you could do it all over again.....

    zambezi replied to Curious1alwys's topic in General Nursing

    If I had to do it all over again...I would I really enjoy what I do-- there are so many options that I can choose to
  13. zambezi

    Shift report form

    zambezi replied to MaryCQB's topic in CCU, Coronary, Cardiac

    I usually just follow our charting...which goes head to toe...I start with important history, then gtts, BP stuff, IV meds, tubes/drains, neuro, cardiac, respiritory, GI, GU, skin issues, family,...
  14. zambezi

    I'm thinking about trying to get pregnant and start nursing school? Yes or No?

    zambezi replied to rayofsunshine's topic in General Nursing

    I would say to go through school first (two year programs are available)...you are still young...get done with your education...as a nurse you will never have to look too hard for a job and if times...
  15. zambezi

    Are you nursing where you thought you'd be?

    zambezi replied to rnmi2004's topic in General Nursing

    I went into nursing to work with at risk teens/ob/peds/ or public health...I now have worked in CCU for about 2.5 years and love
  16. zambezi

    How many male nurses work on your floor/unit?

    zambezi replied to Thunderwolf's topic in General Nursing

    We have more than 10 total in my unit...that's including day and night shift...but we actually have more on nights. We usually have about 2-4 men and 4-6 women. There is one shift I used to work where...
  17. zambezi

    Day Clinical vs. Night Clinical

    zambezi replied to dream8's topic in General Students

    I think that you will learn valuable skills on either shift...in fact both shifts have advantages and disadvantages...I do think that you may get to assist the dr. with some skills more on the day...
  18. zambezi

    A message to new grads: NEVER....

    zambezi replied to UM Review RN's topic in General Nursing

    ALWAYS have confidence in what you know- and NEVER be afraid to ask for help with what you don't. ALWAYS take the chance a do/observe something that you haven't done before. NEVER let your fear of...
  19. zambezi

    Change of shift report

    zambezi replied to SweetnurseS's topic in Medical-Surgical

    On the floors at the hosptial that I work in, they use a phone system. Each person has their own code to get it...report is taped...the RN only gets report on the patients that they have... Each...
  20. zambezi

    Hair

    zambezi replied to Nurse Somebody's topic in General Nursing

    Personally, I don't really think it matters how long or short your hair is, as long as it "looks nice" for work. I think that long hair, as you mentioned, would get in the way...but a long ponytail,...
  21. zambezi

    I'd like to teach a CCRN review course...

    zambezi replied to my2sons's topic in MICU, SICU

    At the hospital that I work at, IABP classes are taught both by the rep and by our clinical educator. ACLS is taught by our education department, but I think that they do hire other to help out... As...
  22. zambezi

    anyone using tPA for acute ischemic stroke in the ED?

    zambezi replied to dewp_63's topic in Emergency

    We use tPA on all possbile canidates that meet the strict criteria...we have an ED flowsheet/alogorithim...ER doc calls neuro with possible stroke canidate (while in the mean time labs, CT, etc are...
  23. zambezi

    Open Heart 1:1

    zambezi replied to zenman's topic in CCU, Coronary, Cardiac

    We try to keep our hearts 1:1 until they are extubated (we extubate in the unit). Once they are extubated, we usually can pair them up...unless they become
  24. zambezi

    night shift tips

    zambezi replied to Spider Cat's topic in General Nursing

    I have a whole different room that I sleep in during the day...Comfy bed, dark walls (purple!!), and a blackout shade. I use a fan for white noise. Day sleeping is the only thing this room is used...
  25. zambezi

    motorcycle accidents

    zambezi replied to Oregon Runner's topic in General Nursing

    Hijacking the thread for a minute: You have to try to go to Laguna this year!!! IT should be fantastic! I was there in 97 (have been there the last 6 years or so...I can wait to see MotoGP...My...