Altra BSN, RN

Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU

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All Content by Altra

  1. Altra

    One in Five

    Altra replied to VivaLasViejas's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    I'm curious if the poll is an attempt to correlate the "1 in 5" statistic ... because there is no poll option for
  2. Altra

    Juggling gtts

    Altra replied to NuBeeT's topic in Emergency

    Seems to have been a bad day. Given the gtts listed in your post, the patient clearly also had cardiac issues - I'm thinking possibly NSTEMI. Are you saying that the gtts were discontinued for...
  3. Altra

    Blood alcohol

    Altra replied to Sassy5d's topic in Emergency

    80 = 0.08 250 = 0.25 etc. So your 477 patient was .477. Pretty impressive, and unless the patient had a pretty reliably confirmed story of being an infrequent binge drinker I certainly hope s/he got...
  4. Altra

    Whats your biggest pet peeve working in the ED?

    Altra replied to Whts_Ur_Emergency?'s topic in Emergency

    I have a patented death stare/raised eyebrow look for these. I'll be marketing it
  5. Altra

    How to correct a critical (high) INR?

    Altra replied to nurs1ng's topic in General Nursing

    Undoubtedly a homework question, and I would have liked to have seen the OP think this through more
  6. Altra

    Tummy Tuck and BA- going back to work

    Altra replied to hbshearer, rn's topic in General Nursing

    This is not FMLA. FMLA is unpaid leave. It's probably a short-term disability benefit, and you'll want to find out ASAP how long it takes to kick in. Really, you should have all this information...
  7. Altra

    Is this considered a burn out?

    Altra replied to bTRUE's topic in General Nursing

    I agree with HouTx's post above -- this was not an unanticipated disaster -- there is no reason whatsoever for the facility to have devolved to such a level of chaos. I would, seriously, be reporting...
  8. Altra

    Concealed Carry...as a nurse?

    Altra replied to mcknis's topic in Activism, Healthcare

    In 2011, there were 29 reported homicides in Alaska, vs. 108 in Washington, DC. FBI â€" Table 4 The FBI / UCR data in this table does not include self-inflicted gun-related deaths, but does provide...
  9. Altra

    Tummy Tuck and BA- going back to work

    Altra replied to hbshearer, rn's topic in General Nursing

    This thread has got me thinking about the number of ER patients I have had present with "pain" after elective plastics procedures. These patients just seem to be unprepared for post-op pain,...
  10. Altra

    Speaking About Nurses Who Moonlight As Dancers

    Altra replied to DoGoodThenGo's topic in Nursing News

    Really -- this individual chooses a line of work that some will find unsavory, happily discusses it with the media -- and some of you believe that this will have zero effect on her professional...
  11. Altra

    What do you do first, besides "ABC"?

    Altra replied to BSNbeauty's topic in Emergency

    Again agree with Larry77 ... this "new patient" scenario/fear is too vague for meaningful discussion and meaningful guidance for the OP. If this new patient has come through triage -- unless your ED...
  12. Altra

    Brain Sheet

    Altra replied to porkey2's topic in Emergency

    Hourly labs on a rule out ACS patient? Maybe I'm misunderstanding you. Even most of my ICU patients don't need labs hourly. ? Our obs patients admitted to r/o ACS get 2 additional sets of cardiac...
  13. Altra

    Upfront payment for non emergent conditions

    Altra replied to danggirl's topic in Emergency

    Let's not make things sound unnecessarily scary. The MSE is not simply noting the stated chief complaint -- it includes a basic history and vitals. The SBP > 200 would be the end of consideration...
  14. Altra

    Tummy Tuck and BA- going back to work

    Altra replied to hbshearer, rn's topic in General Nursing

    FMLA regs require the employee to have been employed at least one year. Did your pre-op teaching with your surgical provider not include some discussion about recovery time? As nurses we are also in...
  15. Altra

    What do you do first, besides "ABC"?

    Altra replied to BSNbeauty's topic in Emergency

    Agree with Larry77's post above ... and make sure to utilize your resources such as your department's tracking board ... before rushing in to assess a dental pain because, OMG I have a new
  16. Altra

    I maybe in trouble, HIPPA Violation

    Altra replied to ms.amy03's topic in HIPAA Challenges

    OP, I'd suggest you reflect on the following: 1. Every thought in your head does NOT need to come out of your mouth, or your fingers. 2. It is EXTREMELY unlikely that "friends and family" want to...
  17. Altra

    Who is "essential personnel" in a state of emergency at a skilled nursing facility?

    Altra replied to rmp17's topic in General Nursing

    Note -- the licensing and accreditation requirements for healthcare facilities generally include formal disaster plans. I'd bet that there is indeed a disaster manual at your
  18. Altra

    You know its a seeker when . . .

    Altra replied to BostonTerrierLover's topic in Emergency

    Another miracle cure ... spontaneous return of motor function to all
  19. Altra

    Orientation and Competency checklist

    Altra replied to Beth385's topic in Emergency

    In my experience, orientation will generally include formal competency checkoffs on the equipment required by hospital policy, but there will be some basic equipment that you will be expected to learn...
  20. Altra

    Rude nurse?

    Altra replied to obloom14's topic in Emergency

    You have much to learn. Hope your dad is feeling
  21. Altra

    I got fired today, how will that affect my chances?

    Altra replied to Nurseadam's topic in General Nursing

    As OP points out in his references to his other thread, his termination followed being observed in intimate contact with a coworker on hospital grounds. No idea how that relates to your situation with...
  22. Altra

    Caffeine Intolerance

    Altra replied to hopefulnurse45's topic in Patient Education

    Yes, I've known several die-hard coffee drinkers who suddenly experienced a major change in their response to caffeine as a result of a new med or after quitting
  23. Altra

    Quitting my first job!

    Altra replied to freespyryt's topic in Nursing Career

    Agree with joanna73 ... there is no law dictating how much notice employers can "require" when you separate from your job. However, unless you live in a state where state law dictates otherwise, you...
  24. Altra

    Manager wrote defaming remark on IR that also goes to county

    Altra replied to soregonnurse's topic in General Nursing

    I'm surmising a number of things, from the OP. 1. The OP works at a county-run facility. 2. Facility policy requires "IRs" -- incident reports -- for patients who present with pre-existing...
  25. Altra

    patient videos

    Altra replied to J.R.theR.N2b's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    I have worked in a hospital where all trauma assessments/resuscitations were videotaped. It's not an uncommon practice. It was done for training / process improvement purposes. When viewed on tape...