NurseMeg

We, too, use only normal saline in our arterial line pressure packs. I've never actually had an a-line clot off. Usually when they "go bad"(radial line), it's becasue the patient is bending their wrist too much. One time, though, I was taking care of a donor patient and we used the line for so many labs, it went bad.

Wouldn't it be great to have weekends fully staffed by weekend option RNs? Life would be wonderful! I hate working weekends!

What is with people? Eeeeek.

I forgot to chart something yesterday at work. When I go back tomorrow, can I chart the task (with the correct date/time when it was performed) with a "late entry" comment? Thanks!

I work in a large ICU that doesn't have showers for the patients. We do bed baths, and once the patient is well enough to go to the floor, they can take a shower there. The other day, I had a doc write orders to "take patient to floor for shower. may dc tele while in shower". ok!

oops! wrong term. Thanks, meandragonbrett. What I meant to say was that diprivan (with it's lipid base) may support bacterial growth.

oops! wrong term. Thanks, meandragonbrett. What I meant to say was that diprivan (with it's lipid base) may support bacterial growth.

I wish we had visiting hours, but our ICU is "open". Sometimes, when I am admitting a very, very sick patient, I'll try to set things up initially with the family to limit visitation (if appropriate). I'll often advise setting up shifts with the family: 1-2 people in the room at a time, voices hushed, no cell phones, take turns going back and forth btw. the room and the waiting room. Most families respect this if it's set up that way at the beginning and then reinforced by the following nurse. Of course, at times this isn't appropriate. Is the patient is going to die, by all means let the family come and go as they please! But having 5 family members in the room and trying to stabilize a sick patient can be nearly impossible. For HIPPA compliance and privacy as well, it would be nice to have limited visiting hours. I've been in the middle of report on one patient and had the other family come up and stand behind us- it's just not fair to the other patient.

We use propofol "milk of amnesia" frequently as well. I like it because it has a rapid onset, and (usually) wears off quickly. What I don't like about it is the fact that it's lipid based. It's bacteriostatic, which despite changing tubing q12hrs, can be troublesome. It also can cause triglycerides to shoot up. All in all, though, it's a pretty good drug.

We use propofol "milk of amnesia" frequently as well. I like it because it has a rapid onset, and (usually) wears off quickly. What I don't like about it is the fact that it's lipid based. It's bacteriostatic, which despite changing tubing q12hrs, can be troublesome. It also can cause triglycerides to shoot up. All in all, though, it's a pretty good drug.

I agree with the other posters. I'm sure that if I wasn't able to breathe well, I'd be anxious too. These people also do not have a whole lot of control in their lives. Especially in a hospital setting.. and COPD'ers are often in and out of the hospital frequently. The call bell = bossing the nurse around = control for MANY patients. Annoying, I know. These are the patients that burn you out. At least, at the end of the day you get to go home!

sorry, posted twice...

I passed, too!!!!!!

I had the same thing! I just took my boards about an hour ago. It shut off at 75 with no math and no alternate format questions. I did have lots of priority, minimal peds, a few meds, no lab questions, and that's all I remember right now. Fortunately, my state participates in the quick results so I'll know in 48 hours. eeek!

I am! I'm currently working as a nurse extern in the SICU of a level 1 trauma center, and will be transferring over to MICU as a graduate nurse next week :)