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Tamiflu and Relenza are being given to the sickest patients within the first 48 hours only. After 48 hours it has no effect on the virus. It can make the flu's effects less severe for some. No guarantee. It should not be taken if you are not sick. Doing so could cause the virus to mutate more. Every country and state has it's own supply. More is being made and preparation is underway-per CDC for a pandemic. Take regular precautions and don't panic-that won't help anyone.Prepare to stay home, so shop for some extra food and you won't have to go out. If you have to go out wear a mask and wash those hands. "Single most effective wash to stop the spread of disease".

The students returning from Mexico are unaware of the epidemic at hand. I called to tell my son. He says no one has informed them. He can not read or speak spanish. All newspapers and TV are in spanish. He does not have a lap-top either. He would not have know about this until he went to the airport. I have told him to take precautions, luckily he is medical personel-so he knows what to do now and is informing anyone who does not speak or read spanish of the epidemic. I can't believe the CDC has not thought about all of them?

Try not to worry so much girlscout. We all know that a possible pandemic can be serious. The CDC also says this swine flu virus could diminish or escalate. They do not know yet. If it does escalate, you could take your mom with you to the "home" where your grandmother and father are. If your father runs the place, maybe you and your mom could help out your dad. If it diminishes all the worry was for nothing. Live, laugh, love today. Don't worry so much about tomorrow, things may be much better who knows? Stress and worry can have very negative effects on your body, then you might not be strong enough to help when needed, be strong. It is obvious you love them and respect your parents. They are wise girlscout follow their lead. Someday, you may have to lead. Take care!:redpinkhe

I am trying to keep up with current news, like everyone else. FYI for anyone with family or friends in Mexico currently-I called my son and he knew nothing about this epidemic. All the T.V.'s and newspapers are in spanish. If you don't speak it or read it, you are unaware. I told him I would text him to keep him up-to date on news. My son is at a resort and they have not informed anyone from the USA of this virus. I think the ten sick kids in NY just came back from Mexico on spring break-which means more cases in the US in the next few weeks.

I know. I guess age and wisdom don't count. We tried to warn our kids of the dangers and did they listen? Nope! More important to go party!!! Mom and Dad don't know nothing... Bet they are thinking differently right a b o u t now! Still I hope they are safe-worried mom of course.

I checked out the map this AM as well. Great resource. I had to laugh a little at an earlier comment about having a place way back in the woods. I do and I am still not safe. My son and his fiance are in cancun right now. They are looking for a place for a destination wedding. Luckily he is an EMT and she is a DR. They will know correct precautions to take, but what happens if they close the border? I told them not to go-I was worried about the drug cartel and their safety in Mexico. Never thought about Swine Flu and who would have? I think I will stock up on water, food, masks, gloves etc... Just in case this gets out of control. I have 6 immediate family members at high risk.:icon_roll Wash those hands and wear a mask! This could end up a pandemic-many other countries are now reporting confirmed cases.

Don't agree with "Tangldyarn" post #33. I was an adult learner-half a century as a matter of fact. I ran circles (in clinicals) around the twenty to thirty year old students. I helped and guided so many. There is something to be said about age and wisdom as well as kindness. Lifes experiences also teach an adult learner how to be better at time management-that's what makes us good teachers.

I would try to help if it did not interfear with my own learning needs. Most schools provide student counceling and assistance from other professionals if necessary. Your teacher or instructor may be testing to see if you are a team player. I am empathetic to your problem as I also was asked to help many others. I did so selflesly. Some students have a very hard time understanding the whole process of the curriculum content in the beginning-but with a little help-they come around. Communication is key-in school and in the real world. Maybe this guy is macho and mouthy as he is feeling insecure and unsure of himself. Then again-maybe not. Don't beat yourself up about it though, try to help, if it seems to much or hopeless, then the rest is up to him. Nursing School is tough for a reason, as it brings out the real champion in you!:heartbeat

In a nutshell, we are all patient advocates. If the patient cannot communicate with you and vice versa, then something should be done. If I were a nurse unable to effectively communicate, then I would set a goal to improve immediately. Remember that communication is not only verbal or written, it is also having the ability to read your patients body language. Be better for your patient, especially if you see that confused look on their face.

They like to get back to ya later... Which never happens

Not to mention, but also could cause higher healthcare costs. If a nurse is always changing an IV that only needs to be taped, she could have tried coban. She is wasting time and supplies as well as discomfort to the patient. When giving report, increased time also costs money.Mainly this all falls back on all of us.

Obviously, I am aware that we live in a cultural melting pot. My point was that some people do not see things in the same way, like humor for example. I mean no disrespect towards anyone. I think there was a serious language barrier in this case, which resulted in an extremely frustrated patient. I thought the nurse in this case was very nice, but having a difficult time herself. Wish I could have helped her (and I tried) more. Any suggestions?:)

I think your story seems altruisitc and admirable to some, especially foreign nurses. Remember that communication is key! If a patient feels that they cannot understand and cannot get some sort of repor with their nurse, they could and should request another nurse. Often they feel guilty about doing so, and do not want to hurt anyone's feelings. A family member of mine had very serious heart surgery, could not communicate with his foreign nurse. The nurse spoke very little english.My family member said" she doesn't understand what I am trying to tell her"! I witnessed this myself. The nurse kept changing an IV because the tape kept coming off. Literally he was poked 4 times in 2 hours. The IV was running fine. The tape was coming off as he was sweating, maybe r/t meds or room temp or stress of surgery. He also kept trying to joke with her and there was absolutely no sense of humor-maybe a difference in cultures and she did not understand the joke? In this case and at this hospital, most of the nurses were foreign. When another nurse was requested the reply was simply "we cannot honor your request". Therefore his experience was miserable.Really makes you think about a nurses impact on a patients life. He says "I will never go to that hospital again".

Straight out of "Nursing Diagnosis Handbook" Remember Depression is associated with impaired thought processes or alzheimers. Refer to psychotherapy- signs will be weight loss, insomnia or seasonal affective disorder. Consider a nutritional status for and outcome or goal Check for high Cholesterol, it is associated with alzheimers if it is high, refer to dietician or a physician for help to lower. Evaluate all prescribed and otc drugs, they can be the cause of alzheimers. Help the patient and family to use memory reminders, like a calendar or a clock or a list of things to do. Also encourage the patient to believe in themselves and to work on memory improvement. Remember if the brain is stimulated, a process called neurogenesis will cause the formation of new neurons and memory or impaired thought processes will improve in 50 % of patients.Hope this info helps you out!:)

To learn all you need to know, use all of your resourses, write them down and memorize them. After a while it will seem like a piece of cake. You do get out what you put in. Use notes and keep them in your pocket. Study, Study, Study!