Anna Flaxis

Anna Flaxis BSN, RN

Member

All Content by Anna Flaxis

  1. Struggling with ED Orientation, advice appreciated

    Anna Flaxis replied to AvaRN22's topic in Emergency

    Seven weeks with a dedicated preceptor is actually pretty nice. Remember that their goal isn't to bring you along at a pace that feels comfortable to you, it is to get you up and running and out on...

  2. Question on reacting to tachycardic afib

    Anna Flaxis replied to DatMurse's topic in Cardiac

    I mean this in the kindest way possible, but this is a patient that I would definitely be worried about. Not being able to read the hospitalist's handwriting is no excuse for not knowing what the...

  3. Say no to artificial sweeteners

    Anna Flaxis replied to toomuchbaloney's topic in Diabetes, Endocrine Nursing

    This study is not conclusive, it just points to more research being needed. Keep in mind that what happens in mice does not automatically transfer to humans, that the human portion of the study was...

  4. Question on reacting to tachycardic afib

    Anna Flaxis replied to DatMurse's topic in Cardiac

    Even more concerning to me, is what is the plan for this patient? Even if the patient is asymptomatic, you can't just let them sit there taching away for days and days. What was being done for rate...

  5. Help me understand....

    Anna Flaxis posted a topic in Emergency

    ....if your child has a painful condition and is hurting, why, when I offer ibuprofen, do you say "No"? I don't get

  6. Have you started antidepressants since becoming a nurse?

    Anna Flaxis replied to Nola009's topic in Health, Stress Management

    No, I have not. I would try cognitive behavioral therapy before trying meds, personally. Your mileage may

  7. Pressors with diuretics

    Anna Flaxis replied to psu_213's topic in Emergency

    I was going to say albumin! Woot

  8. PARAMEDICS IN THE ED...Do you have them????

    Anna Flaxis replied to EDtraumaCNS's topic in Emergency

    Actually, I have been trained to do both of those things (I've had PHTLS), and according to the laws of the state in which I practice, it is within my scope. It is the facility that I work for that...

  9. ESI Triage concerns

    Anna Flaxis replied to Mobeeb's topic in Emergency

    Remember that you can always increase the acuity level if VS are not WNL, or if the person looks potentially sicker than their chief complaint would have them be. Technically that possible fracture...

  10. Any tips for "spasmy" veins? Also, PIVs on chemo pts?

    Anna Flaxis replied to RunBabyRN's topic in Infusion, Intravenous

    Venous spasm is a fairly well documented

  11. PARAMEDICS IN THE ED...Do you have them????

    Anna Flaxis replied to EDtraumaCNS's topic in Emergency

    To be clear, I am against it, and I've verbalized my feelings about it, but I've been overridden. I'm not against it out of concern for my or any other nurse's job. Our facility is small, and I have...

  12. PARAMEDICS IN THE ED...Do you have them????

    Anna Flaxis replied to EDtraumaCNS's topic in Emergency

    I hope so,

  13. PARAMEDICS IN THE ED...Do you have them????

    Anna Flaxis replied to EDtraumaCNS's topic in Emergency

    Nobody did. In my neck of the woods, the ambulance crew consists of two Paramedics. One of them has to drive, or the ambulance goes nowhere. At any rate, we are hiring Paramedics in my ER to...

  14. Like a scene from 'MASH'...

    Anna Flaxis replied to ER_AllTheWayMay's topic in Emergency

    We're experiencing a similar surge in patient volume, and many of them are truly sick. We also do our own transports since at the moment we don't have techs. The Med/Surg nurses are usually slammed...

  15. Heplock to home hospice?

    Anna Flaxis replied to BmoreRN82's topic in Hospice, Palliative

    Absolutely, they can! There is a good chance the hospice patient will be receiving home infusion services, whether through hospice or through a home infusion service, and having the heplock already...

  16. Any tips for "spasmy" veins? Also, PIVs on chemo pts?

    Anna Flaxis replied to RunBabyRN's topic in Infusion, Intravenous

    Not true. Veins do have a layer of smooth muscle. Granted, it is thinner than that of arteries, but they do have

  17. Help! Straight Cath Giving Blood Only.

    Anna Flaxis replied to KotysMommy's topic in Dialysis, Renal, Urology

    It sounds like maybe when he self-DC'd his foley, trauma to the urethra resulted, and the continuing insult of straight cathing may be interfering with the healing process. This would just be my...

  18. Any tips for "spasmy" veins? Also, PIVs on chemo pts?

    Anna Flaxis replied to RunBabyRN's topic in Infusion, Intravenous

    Is there any reason the port can't be left accessed, other than that he doesn't like it? If he's going in to the cancer center three times weekly, then he could just have the needle changed weekly...

  19. OB ultrasound...foley or no?

    Anna Flaxis replied to Kalipso's topic in Emergency

    It seems really unnecessary to me. An ectopic is diagnosed by an HCG quant and lack of visualization of IUP, and usually it's not a conclusive diagnosis, but a high index of suspicion. If the...

  20. Learning sick vs. not sick

    Anna Flaxis replied to Eatrealfood's topic in Emergency

    I think time and experience are key in developing the ability to do a rapid visual assessment. This is one reason why experienced ED nurses should be doing triage, IMO. There are parts of the rapid...

  21. Difference between apical pulse and pulse monitored on display

    Anna Flaxis replied to redeyelpn's topic in Cardiac

    When auscultating apical pulse, you are hearing mechanical activity. The monitor shows electrical conduction. The two do not always coincide. But, as pointed out in the posts above, more...

  22. Temporal Thermometer Cleaning

    Anna Flaxis replied to mrnightinggale's topic in Critical Care

    Using anything but alcohol wipes on the sensor will ruin it, according to the manufacturer, so be careful with those Cavi

  23. IV Infusion/ question

    Anna Flaxis replied to stervets's topic in Patient Medications

    I think Muno is correct that if you are using primary tubing with 50-100mL bags of antibiotics, then yes, this is problematic. However, this nurse should be problem solving and figuring out how to...

  24. MI post heparin drip

    Anna Flaxis replied to RNbubu's topic in Cardiac

    Ask the cardiologist/intensivist/hospitalist next time you see

  25. OB ultrasound...foley or no?

    Anna Flaxis replied to Kalipso's topic in Emergency

    I'm really surprised at how common this practice is. We will typically infuse fluids intravenoulsy, or if the pt is taking PO well, they can just drink water- and ask them to hold their bladder until...