SixFive

We use a red/yellow/green system. On admission, the admitting nurse completes the FAST = Fall Assessment Screenint Tool. The result of that puts the patient at either a high (red), moderate (yellow), or low (green). Any patient who is a red 'tag' has a bed alarm and wheelchair alarm. They can not be left unattended in the bathroom or in their room unless they are in bed. All of our red tagged patients have this red tag/sticker on their wheelchair, above their bed, and at the doorway. A yellow tagged patient may be left alone in their room unattended, and they do not have alarms. They can call for help appropriately, and may sometimes also have BRP or be independent in their room. We rarely use the green tag, but it is very similar to yellow. Usually that person is independent, but they don't have to be. Is this what you're talking about, or was I totally missing your question?

we've never had anything but multi-dose vials, so I can't relate. The prefilled syringe with safety needle does sound nice though!

be thankful you have a pension. Lots of us nurses have nothing but what we put into an unmatched 401K now. To answer your question, I can work 1 extra shift per 2 week pay period and see the biggest difference. More than that, you do make more money, of course, but you don't see it as much in your take-home.

They won't ever be phased out. I have worked with a few surgeons who refuse to even prescribe IV pain medication; they always go with an IM injection.

she has no acute pain? Why did she seek medical attention? That's where you get your ND. Also sounds like a poor patient for a case study; I mean how long is she really going to be in the hospital with gastritis? The PP talked about walking around with it untreated for 6 months.

How about Bacteriostatic for this one. I think it fits a little better since your question only asks about bacteria and antiseptics cover all microorganisms

I've been in that situation before, and it's my understanding that the DNR can be revoked at any time if that's what the patient or the person making decisions for them decides.

It was either clogged with sediment or blood (not likely since it was new) or he was having bladder spasms. I guess it's also possible that the catheter wasn't all the way in the bladder.

Didn't think I was going to find another Bowling Green person! I'm from Bowling Green and a graduate of Western Kentucky University. Go Tops!

like you said, the cost of living is a lot less in Kentucky. Whatever apprehension you have about your salary will be outweighed by how friendly the people are. I think you'll also find that agencies are not used in Kentucky like they are in other places.

sounds ridiculous to push your flush that slow, but other than that, I have no suggestion. If every nurse on the floor took 20 minutes with every IV push, not much work would get done!

put what is applicable in the ( ) below. Your list doesn't mention the old dressing, but I think that's important. Also chart if the wound is 'hot' or warm. Also describe the wound bed. I would also chart if there is an odor or lack of odor. For approximation, if you have a wet-dry dressing, it's obviously not approximated. A non surgical wound is open, while a surgical wound would be dehisced. If this is a non-surgical wound, chart like this... Wet to dry dressing change to the coccyx (or wherever it is) completed with (sterile or clean technique) using (whatever you made the dressing wet with; normal saline, 1/8th strength Dakins, etc.). Old dressing with (minimal, moderate, copious) (serous, serosanguinous, bloody, purulent) drainage. Wound bed (is red, has yellow slough, has necrotic areas. ((There are lots of things you can chart here; how specific do you need to be? You can be very technical including measurements.))) Redness (or no redness) present (describe where if present like distal, proximal, lateral to the wound etc.) and (1+, 2+, 3+, 4+ /I like to use scant or mild if this is allowed and it's very little) edema. (Foul or no) odor present. for a surgical wound, add in staples or sutures (and if you are required list how many there are) and where the wound is dehisced. a final product would like this... Wet to dry dressing change to the coccyx completed with sterile technique using Normal Saline soaked gauze and covered with an ABD pad. Old dressing with minimal bloody drainage. Wound bed is beefy red. Redness present in the proximal skin surrounding the wound and surrounding skin has 2+ edema. There is no foul odor. good luck!

sounds like a good system, and I like the orientation check at the beginning. I would add in skin assessment and of course any other tubes or lines they may have besides an IV. I also want to know when they last had a BM. The mistake I see nurses make is concentrating on the primary diagnosis and missing other things that a general head to toe assessment will show. For example, if your patient is post-op with a femur ORIF, don't just look at that hip incision.

well, if you aren't solving for ml, then you have that as part of your problem information, right? When you're solving for ml, your time is known hr=1 hour or 60 minutes. ml/hr is the same as saying milliliters per hour. so, if you have an IV antibiotic mixed in a 250 ml bag, how long will it take to infuse if you run it at 125 ml/hour. (Is that the kind of question you're talking about I assume??) 250 ml = 125ml x.......... 1hr or 60 minutes cross multiply and solve for minutes (you can also solve using hours, but just in case they throw out something weird, solve for minutes). 125x=250 times 60 min 125x=15000 min 15000min = 120min 125 120 minutes = 2 hours The IV antibiotic will infuse in 120 minutes or 2 hours. hope that helps.

I don't have to use a calculator too often, but there are times that I do. For most basic conversions, I can write and calculate on paper just as fast. If it's not basic, I double-check my math. A handheld calculator will probably be a thing of the past soon just like a typewriter is now. Most any facility has a computer or terminal with a calculator program on it that you can use.