studentnurse2012

I got 12mL/hr....but i could be completely wrong (we only just started dosage calcs): 132lb = 60 kg 60kg * 0.1 units = 6 units per hour. then use the d/h *q formula: 6 units/ 125 units * 250mL = 12mL/hr

You are completely correct in that we all start somewhere and it is a difficult skill to master. Also, i agree with you, in that i would rather take the BP a couple of times than report it wrong (and i have taken readings a couple of times on my patients during clinicals..both in first semester and subsequent rotations, if im not 100%). However, in order for it to be accurate you do need to wait in between. I found an article saying that BP will fluctuate..and i have experienced this. I had a patient whose BP went from 118/78 to 64/37 in the space of 5 minutes (he ended up needing a code). However, i think going the readings between you and your friend where more likely due to the user (i dont think it would continue to go up and down each time). Congratulations on having the right attitude and thinking it was a "big deal"...at the end of the day i'd rather be a patient knowing that my nurse was advocating for me and using critical thinking skills to determine whether my treatment plan needed to change, than have a nurse think it was "no big deal"...especially given the comorbidities.

if anything i would imagine it would continue to increase between readings (because your constricting the vessels). However, saying this, you shouldnt be doing BP consecutively within 30 seconds or so anyway....you need to give the arm about 5-10minutes in between each reading to get an accurate measurement (because really when you take BP, your restricting blood flow to the extremity and it cuts off the circulation).

Hi Guys A couple of weeks ago in clinical, i was giving metoprolol. I check the BP and radial pulse, but just found out today you should also check the apical pulse when giving this med. Is this right? Should i report to someone that i didnt do this? Thanks

Thank you all! This has made me feel a lot better about doing this....i thought for a while i was the only one!

So today in clinical i had the opportunity to do my first female catheterization. However, when i was doing it, on my first attempt i missed the urethra and inserted into the lady parts. I left the catheter in and then started again, and got the right place on the second time. However, i now feel really stupid for inserting into the wrong place.....has this happened to anyone else?

Yes i really love mt royal...I cant imagine going anywhere else. The small classes are great for nursing, and the profs are so helpful/nice. I'm sure you will really enjoy it there! First year is really overwhelming and you will get stressed out, but you will make it through... If you need anything/have questions feel free to message me!

Hey Just wanted to say good luck at mt royal! I am doing nursing there too...I'm just starting my second year. Which pattern are you in (do you start nursing classes right away or in the second semester?)

oops..sorry....missed the NURSING diagnosis part.

what if you cut out a paper heart and tied a plastic pair of handcuffs around your wrist....cardiac arrest?

hi i need some advice on how to maintain balance in my life whilst at school. Last semester i did school work pretty much non-stop (yes i am a perfectionist) and took maybe 2 days off the whole semester. Other than those days...i was studying, in classes/labs or doing homework from about 7am- 9-10pm each night. My parents are worried about me and dont want to see me like that again so they have suggested i aim to work on a 6 day week and take 1 day off per week....doing something to take my mind off school each week. I know i need to find a balance, but i get so panicked and anxious about getting everything in on time, studying enough for tests, prepping for classes etc that i dont feel like i have the time to not be doing school work all the time! Just the thought of having some time off makes me start to hyperventilate and i feel like if i do i will fail! how do you guys do it?? are you able to take a day/night off most weeks? Rhanks for the tips!

Thank You everyone!! There are a few things i was doing that shouldn't have been doing...so i have cut out some extra noise!! Otherwise i will just keep practicing!! Thanks again

I found it helpful to imagine it in my own body. Have you learnt the names of the arteries/veins??? If so, just imagine where it would have to go. i.e if the blood is going from right side heart to right hand...it would have to go through the right side of heart, up pulmonary trunk, to the lungs for oxygen loading to take place, back down to enter the left side of the heart, and out the aorta, up the brachiocephalic trunk, across the shoulder in the subclavian artery, past the shoulder in the axillary artery, down the arm in the brachial artery, then through either the radial/ulnar arteries and into the superficial and deep palmar arteries. It also depends on how many of the arteries/veins your school requires you to know...i know we only need to know about 3/4 of them. As for helpful websites, try the site that accompanies your textbook...its usually listed in the first few pages, and they generally have good resources. The site that comes with my text is interactivephysiology.com and its incredible! Shows you everything...best part is all the pictures on slides which is great if your a visual learner...has online quizzes, study guides, games etc. i know you can buy access to the site if you dont have the textbook...and i would def recommend it if you need extra help. I think its $10/month

Hello I am in my second semester of my BN. Our 1st sem is just pre-reqs that are built into the program so this semester we are learning actual nursing things and how to do blood pressures which i am terrible at!! I have been reading previous threads about it..but wondered if anyone has any tips to help me. I have trouble hearing the first korotkoff sound....i can hear so many other noises that i dont know which one is the actual korotkoff. I have a Littmann, tried different ear pieces and practice at home every night but dont seem to be getting better. Any advice?

Hi I'm doing an assignment for a nursing class. It's not really a care plan, but similar. We had to interview a client about health determinants (education, income etc) and from that identify two priority nursing concerns. We then had to come up with health promotion interventions to address those concerns and descibe how we would evaluate the interventions. The client i have chosen works 18 hrs a day so obviously my concern is fatigue. My goal for her is: On a scale of 1-10, client will report fatigue severity below a 7 within one month. As i can't tell her to simply just get more sleep, i have focused on improving quality of sleep, so have interventions like: - education on proper sleeping positions - Referral to an occupational therapist to be educated in energy conservation techniques - Monitoring of nutritional intake to ensure client is getting adequate energy - Minimizing environmental stimuli when sleeping (distractions such as tv, lighting etc) - Help in developing relaxation techniques before sleeping - Education on benefit of sleep to body and body systems The part i am having problems with is the evaluation of interventions. If the interventions are successful, then surely i will know because the goal will have been met? How do i evaluate each specific intervention? I can't exactly go to her house when she's sleeping and check her sleeping positions...... I'm having the same problem for my other concern..which relates to chronic back pain caused by heavy lifting at work. My intrventions include things like: education on proper posture/body mechanics when lifting etc etc. but how do i evaluate them? This is my first year...so I'm looking for words from the wise!! Thank You