RNMedic1977

Where did you get the IV and 50? Was that in their "kit"? Yes, it was, thank goodness!

This was from a previous discussion on this list in January 2006, on the same subject. Here is what I wrote: Emergencies in the air while I was flying (both United Airlines), happened on 2 flights within a year of each other (2000)...and I do not fly that much! The first one was an elderly man I was sure was dead, but I opened his airway, I laid him down, and he began to breathe! I was so relieved, because starting CPR in an airplane was something I did not want to do!! The 2nd incident was an Insulin Shock , he was so out of it that I could not get anything oral to stay in his mouth (he was combative and spitting everywhere). Passengers told me he was drunk,I immediately checked his wrist, and neck, and found his "Diabetic" medic alert tag. So with help from a passenger, I started an IV, and gave D50. I then spoke with the United Airlines MD via phone, and he said it was up to ME :uhoh21: if we needed to do an emergency landing. After the dextrose, he was awake, so we did not need to land. The first on flight emergency, I did ask to land (not realizing they were really listening to ME)! By the way, as long as you are IN THE AIR, you are covered under the Airlines MD. I asked this question AFTER I had done what I needed to do. If the plane is on the ground, you are not covered if you start IV's, give meds, etc The flight Attendant asked for my Nursing License, and she gave me the "Airplane Medical Kit". I am glad that AED's are on most (if not all) airplanes now. That is what asked for on the first emergency, and they did not have one. I (and the pt) really lucked out that BASICS of ABC's worked!!

"Has anyone else ever been on an airplane when this panicked announcement has been made overhead? " Yes....TWICE in one year!! By the way, while in the air you are covered under the Airline's Physician.

I agree with the above post. I was a Paramedic first...when I was only 18 years old in the late 70's! I LOVED it, and those days there were not many woman paramedics. I went into Critical Care before the ER after I became an RN. I wanted to go right into the ER, but was advised to get my IV drip and assessment skills stronger prior to going into the ER. I did not think I needed to do that...but found that those 2 1/2 years in Critical Care helped me a great deal. As a Paramedic and an ER Nurse, you do very quick assessments, and in Critical Care, you do very in-depth assessments. You actually have the time to learn more about the disease process, etc when you have a 2:1 pt-RN ratio. Plus you get very comfortable working with many different IV drips...and ventilators (years ago the ER very rarely had a patient on a vent, now it happens quite often). Good Luck on whatever you decide!!

Our ER kept getting the plug-in light that went into the disposable speculum!! YUCK!! We finally built a frame over where the light plugged in...some people still figure out how to steal it! There is plastic that fits over that light...but still...what do "they" do with such a thing??? We have had dopplers and thermometers that we had secured to a stand stolen...they actually take it off with some type of tools. Wheelchairs get stolen a lot, even the ones with bars. When I was a Director of the ER I told staff to do their best in helping keep the theft down (we even joked about putting Lojack on our equipment), but I NEVER wanted any of the staff chasing people down, they are not the Police, and I was afraid they would be injured:uhoh21: It is a frustrating problem.........................

If you like to read ghost stories, I just started reading a ghost (fiction) love story....it is pretty good too! I got it at Amazon.com, it is called "The Gettysburg Ghost" by Philip Ragone.

I have a terrible time when I get hiccups...and I have tried everything there is!! Then I found the following website, and their "cure" really works ...it has for me, everytime, and I get them very, very bad!! http://www.mastersweep.com/curehiccups.htm I sure hope it works for your husband, I really hate when I have them for many reasons:uhoh3: Good Luck...and please update us and let us know what ends of helping!! Take Care!

In California an RN can perform Venipuncture and blood draw from the EJ ONLY when the facility you are employed at has a Standardized Procedure (SP) for RN's performing EJ Venipuncture/Phelbotomy (the facility can decide the title of the SP). This must be in writing (Policy)and approved by your hospital, AND any RN who performs this procedure must show documented COMPENTENCY in performing an EJ. Other examples of SP's are: "SP for the Treatment of Anaphylactic Shock", an SP that would allow the RN who has completed the compentency to start an IV, and give Benadryl and Epi without a physician's order. There are many different SP's out there, and they are written so the RN can perform certain procedures that are out of her scope of practice otherwise. In Calif (and probably many other states) performing an EJ is OUT of the RN Scope of Practice:uhoh3: ....so if you are performing EJ's without that Standardized Procedure, STOP that practice until the proper SP for performing an EJ are set in place! Hope this info helps!!

"RNMedic1977~ Good call! My doc called me back shortly after I posted and said it could be common bile duct spasms. She called me in an antispasmodic and I took it last night. It made me pass out, so that was a good thing! :chuckle I can't take it this morning because I have to drive to the doc, but I'll take it again later." Glad I could help:) . I have had many issues since my gallbladder was removed, and SOD was one! I have bouts of pancreatitis too ...hopefully that does not happen to you! Glad you have a GI doc that is listening and doing testing to get to the bottom of what is occurring. If he recommends an ERCP, contact me and I will explain how that test comes into play. Good Luck and feel better!!! Deb

I would look into information on "Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction (SOD), your S/S sure sound like SOD. Good Luck! Here is some info from Indiana University's GI website: I have had my gallbladder out so why am I still having gallbladder pain? Biliary spasms affect from 2 to 10% of people who have had their gallbladders removed. A few people have it with intact gallbladders. It is more common among women then men. However, the causes of this syndrome are still unclear. It is generally considered a functional distorder that has a psychological component (somatization) and may increase under stress. The condition has symptoms of gallbladder disease pain and can start from a few weeks to years after the gallbladder has been removed. Burning pain in the epigastric (upper stomach) area radiates around to the back or under right shoulder blade. It often begins about a half hour after eating and can last for several hours. There can also be cramping under the shoulder blade or back and the stool (bowel movement) can be light tan if the normal amount of bile is not going into the intestine. These spasms and burning sensations are thought to be caused by contractions of the common bile duct (the duct that allows bile from the liver into the small intestine) or a tightening of the Sphincter of Oddi (the muscle opening that controls the flow of bile and pancreatic enzymes into the small intestine). Sometimes "gallstones" can form in the duct that may not be visible on Ultra Sound that will produce these symptoms. To read the full article, and find more answers on SOD, go to: http://www.indiana.edu/~engs/hints/oddi.html

I used to use Cetacaine too, and it did work great...but I found out that some people may have a very serious adverse reaction to Cetacaine, called Acquired Methemoglobinemia. :imbar See the article: Read Page 4 http://www.uic.edu/pharmacy/services/di/JulyAug_Final.pdf So I no londer use it, as it is not worth the risk. I was taught that "trick" by another nurse many years ago, so I know it has been around awhile. The article stated that excessive use can increase your chances of this adverse reaction. So please, do NOT use CETACAINE to block out odors....

The sulfites in the wine can cause allergic reactions...I would stay away from any alcohol that gives you problems.....

I guess I used to be against this idea, and then I heard the last words of a 17 year old patient....then he went downhill, coded, and the family was kept out during the whole time (although with frequent updates). I changed my thinking after that patient...why was I the one to hear their child's last words? His parents could have been there to hear him, but he was dumping quick and we kept the parents out, like most ER's do in these cases . I then did a Lit search on this subject and found that times are changing. Just like we used to keep everyone out when babies are born, we keep out people when a child/parent/spouse is dying. That practice is changing. I think the choice should be given to the family (& what the space will allow in the ER too), to stay with their loved one as their life comes to an end. During the Lit Search, I read about one hospital in Michigan that allows family presence, and they have had great success with the program. The #1 worry was "Lawsuits", and this hospital stated that NO LAWSUITS have been filed by any of the family presence families. The biggest hurdle was getting the ER Staff & Docs to accept the change. This is another change in health care that is becoming more and more accepted, ask yourself....if it was YOUR family member, would you not want a choice to be at their side and possibly hear your loved one's last words? Think about it.....

In California only an RN can do an ASSESSMENT, LVN's (LPN's) cannot perform assessments, Triage involves doing an assessment, therefore only an RN can do Triage. Hope this info helps.....

I have been an RN for 18 years, and have had Lupus for 3 years. The fatigue is the worse thing for me! I have what I call "sleeping marathons"....I really hate sleeping my days away, but I just can't help it! I no longer work bedside care unless I am helping out in the ER where I work as a Part Time ER Educator, and other tasks. I have been lucky since I had worked at the same hospital so long, and I am flexible. It is not easy...and I feel like giving in some days, but I love what I do! I am on weekly Methotrexate, the max dose, so I hope I can stay "well" on this dose for a long time to come. I can work with the sore/painful joints, but the severe fatigue is something that stops me cold!