Kim Valentine BSN, RN

Kim Valentine has 37 years experience as a BSN, RN and specializes in Community Health, Care Coordination and Geriatrics.

Latest Activity

1. 

   The Importance of Oral Care in the Hospitalized Older Adult

   Kim Valentine posted a topic in General Nursing

   Indeed, we can't deny that we work with reduced staff in high acuity settings in our current health care environment. These workload pressures cause us to prioritize elements of care. But should we dismiss the significance of oral care? Perhaps if we...
2. 

   Back to Basics: Using Foundational Nursing Principles To Save Our Population from Drowning in the Sea of Media (mis)Information

   Kim Valentine replied to Armesse Cheney's topic in General Nursing

   Great article! If only we all went back to those basics! It makes so much sense. My friend is an epidemiologist for our local Public Health with her PhD and was challenged all the time during the pandemic because others had the “real” informatio...
3. 

   Understanding and Preventing Dehydration in the Older Adult

   Kim Valentine replied to Kim Valentine's topic in Geriatric

   Absolutely! Creative strategies are so important.
4. 

   Understanding and Preventing Dehydration in the Older Adult

   Kim Valentine posted a topic in Geriatric

   When thirsty, most of us inevitably go to the tap or refrigerator for a drink of water or some other refreshing beverage. In most cases, we all take this simple task for granted. Our receptors will signal when thirsty, so we drink. Hydration can be...
5. 

   Understanding Delirium in the Hospitalized Older Adult

   Kim Valentine replied to Kim Valentine's topic in General Nursing

   Oh my goodness Wuzzie, my heart goes out to you. I used to work in the community and this has to be one of the most difficult situations as a caregiver. It sounds like she has had several tests. Is she followed by a geriatrician as well? I'm sure N...
6. 

   Understanding Delirium in the Hospitalized Older Adult

   Kim Valentine replied to Kim Valentine's topic in General Nursing

   Thank you for your comment. That must have been such a challenging situation for you to be in! I also wonder sometimes if "ageism" plays a role? I agree validated screening tools such as the CAM are so important to be familiar with and utilize i...
7. 

   Understanding Delirium in the Hospitalized Older Adult

   Kim Valentine replied to Kim Valentine's topic in General Nursing

   Good point! I also realize critical care areas are some of the most challenging environments.
8. 

   Understanding Delirium in the Hospitalized Older Adult

   Kim Valentine replied to Kim Valentine's topic in General Nursing

   I think the CAM is useful to draw attention to the clinician that there is a delirium going on and not just assuming the patient has dementia thereby delaying treatment. But it is a screening tool and not diagnostic.
9. 

   Understanding Delirium in the Hospitalized Older Adult

   Kim Valentine replied to Kim Valentine's topic in General Nursing

   The first set to treatment is identifying the cause such as an infection, pain, constipation or abnormal lab values. Sometimes the solution is right in front of us. I know in critical care it is a challenge to alter the environment. In the hos...
10. 

    Understanding Delirium in the Hospitalized Older Adult

    Kim Valentine replied to Kim Valentine's topic in General Nursing

    I think the first key is to identify if there is a reversible source, like an infection or electrolyte imbalance, etc. I see it more than I'd like to, that older adults in a delirium are deemed as having "dementia" and little is done for them excep...
11. 

    Addressing Nurses' Sleep Meter For Better Heart Health

    Kim Valentine replied to Jordan Nacalaban's topic in Stress 101

    Thanks for this article with such valuable information. Certainly shift work is a challenge to having a restful sleep but you bring up some good strategies to use. I used to “need” 8 hours of sleep a night but as I age, that number seems to drop wher...
12. 

    Understanding Delirium in the Hospitalized Older Adult

    Kim Valentine posted a topic in General Nursing

    The percentage of adults over age 65 in the United States is now more than 16% of the population. Because this age group tends to have more comorbid and chronic conditions, they are twice as likely to be hospitalized as compared to people under the a...
13. 

    Duragesic and Tegaderm

    Kim Valentine replied to Kim Valentine's topic in Oncology

    I have recently heard that the manufacturer does not recommend the use of tegaderm whatsoever. I lothe duragesic patches anyway!
14. 

    Duragesic and Tegaderm

    Kim Valentine posted a topic in Oncology

    Recently a pediatric oncologist ordered 12.5mcg of durgesic on an 8 year old home care client of ours. This family is not covered for the 12.5mcg patch but is covered for the 25mcg patch. The oncologist ordered us to place half of the patch on tega...
15. 

    PICC reaction vs infection

    Kim Valentine replied to JOPICCRN5's topic in Infusion

    I recommend using the Biopatch along with a securment device like Statlock. The new stats on Biopatch state that PICC infections are reduced by 60%. That is a significant evidence for me to adapt my practice.