my2sons

My co-worker was assessing a lady who he thought was gorked and he let out a loud, disgusting fart in her room. The "gorked" patient opened her eyes and said, "Well, I hope you feel better, dear."

Stress response, drips, and drugs. Epinephrine frequently causes hyperglycemia, as do some iv steroids commonly used for lung problems.

I have worked both SICU and ED for a long time. My advice is this: Get into a good ICU (read: one with an official internship!) and give it at least a year. (Preferably two or three.) I have seen way to many new grads freak out and quit right after their internships are over. (I think that this is why you see so many experienced RNs opposed to new grads in the ICU.) It is extremely frustrating to put your heart and soul into teaching a new grad only to have them quit. After a year or so, if you still have the ED itch, go for it. It will be a much easier transition for you to go from the ICU to ED rather than the other way around. ICU will give you the time to fine tune your assessment, prioritization, and organizational skills. And with both ED and ICU experience, you'll be a hot commodity!

I would run stairs during my 30 minute lunch breaks. My co-workers thought it was weird, especially during the night shift, but it worked for me. I found it to be a great stress reliever, as well as "intense cardio.

mmm...still recovering from last year.... :smackingf

My sister took a travel assignment in Naples. Absolutely gorgeous beaches. And lots of rich old people.

I'm bumping this up for more ideas. So far, the vacation $ idea sounds pretty good. He lives with his girlfriend of 3 years, who is also graduating from med school and I could give it as a grad gift to the both of them.

Another Dansko fan! They are not expensive, if you consider how long they will last you. I bought mine 1/2 size bigger and use nice insoles that I change every six months or so. The only gripe that I have is that the bottom part of my white ones turned a permanent off-white/yellow after about a year.

Help me come up with a meaningful/clever gift for my little brother (33) who is graduating from medical school in June. I'm at a complete loss over what to give him. (I had planned on a really good stethoscope, but just found out that he got one through school.) He will be doing an ER internship. Thanks for your ideas!

Let's have fun with this one! I showed up for work bright and early at 7am for a week before I figured out that the shift actually started at 6:45 am... I piggybacked an antibiotic to my Nipride drip instead of the main IV and learned all about Trendelenburg...

Another vote for TRENDS in Philadelphia. I think it is better than NTIs by a long shot.

What you are looking for is usually termed a "CV Recovery" Unit, and they are out there. St. Luke's in Houston has one. From what I understand, they do "pure" recovery (rewarming, VS stabilization, extubation) then they are shipped to CVICU.

Right. 24 hours is the maximum. I hit a snag with it though. The bag that the MDA hung in the OR was about to run dry and our pharmacy would not mix or release another bag to me. Their policy will only allow CRNAs or MDAs to receive /hang Precedex. Hmmm, got to figure this out.

"...plan is to work the patient up for Perry Carditis..." Obviously a dictation error, but sometimes they are the most fun!

Contact your supplier for transducers and transducer holders. They will give them to you for free if you ask them.

Anyone using Precedex with their CABs? What is your experience? I think I like it so far....

I've found that ggts depend on your MDA. Or is it the area of the country? Up north I remember lots of Dop, Dob, Nipride, Propofol and Hespan. Down south seems to be Epi, Neo, Milrinone, NTG, and Albumin for volume.

If I see it, I thump it. Always. Meanwhile, I'm calling for the crash cart. I've seen it work too many times not to try it.

Why not try SICU at Hamot? Or maybe you're already there?

1. Adenosine, definitely. I don't really care for the flatline, thank you! 2. Demerol/phenergan combo. Wigs many old people right out.

I have critical care drug info card that attaches to my badge holder with my hospital's standard loading dose, concentrations, etc. Also, I keep the latest and greatest ACLS protocol information in my back pocket to scare away the evil spirits. The longer I have been a nurse, the less stuff I need to carry around. Also, it is so easy to access the internet now.

Yep, another vote for rotorest here. Also, the old Bard IABPs were a pain when you needed to transport--they had a mind of their own!

Why is toradol contraindicated for diabetics? First time I heard of this.

What are y'all using for post-op pain control? All I've got are MS 2mg IV Q 1h PRN while on ventilator, Demerol 75mg/Phenergan IM Q 3h PRN, Vicodin when taking PO. This makes it tough to medicate for pain when they are newly extubated (hesitant to give the vicodin on an empty belly with no bowel sounds.) Not liking the Demerol, I've had 2 patients in the last 3 weeks go crazy :smiley_ab on me! One tried to choke me with his chest tubes. What does everybody else use?

What are y'all using for post-op pain control? All I've got are MS 2mg IV Q 1h PRN while on ventilator, Demerol 75mg/Phenergan IM Q 3h PRN, Vicodin when taking PO. This makes it tough to medicate for pain when they are newly extubated (hesitant to give the vicodin on an empty belly with no bowel sounds.) Not liking the Demerol, I've had 2 patients in the last 3 weeks go crazy :smiley_ab on me! One tried to choke me with his chest tubes. What does everybody else use?