Zaptastic

OK, thanks.

then wouldn't that introduce bubbles into the fluid still in the vial? but by expelling the air out of the needle and replacing it with medication, aren't you reducing the injected dose? after completing an injection when the plunger is bottomed out, there is still fluid in the needle. if that is taken into account by the manufacturer when placing the fluid measurement lines on the side of the barrel, then by filling the new needle with medication, you've just moved the plunger past the prescribed ml line haven't you?

It was hard to take a clear picture because my camera didn't want to focus that close:

When you are expelling the air bubble during that step, do you once again have to move the tip of the needle above the fluid level into the airspace? I tried that, but doesn't the bubble just move to the top and now inside the needle ready to cause an air embolism fatality? I tried moving the plunger very slowing in an attempt to just expel the bubble and no medication. But it seems impossible because I was moving it maybe 1/1000 of an inch and still some medication would come out the top indicating that I now would have a reduced dose inside the syringe and fail the test. Also I was flicking the syringe many many times as hard as I could but still saw bubbles at the bottom. I will try to take a picture.

Our textbook says to inject the air from the syringe into the airspace of the vial to avoid forming bubbles. But the video that comes with the textbook shows the opposite. Then I found another educational video which specifically says to keep the tip of the needle "below the level of the medication" when introducing the air to charge the vial. I am concerned because no matter how many times I practice, I see very small bubbles clinging to the end of the rubber plunger. No matter how hard I tap the barrel, the bubbles stay there. Then I am confused in another scenario where the medication is aspirated using a blunt needle. Then that needle is switched for a fresh needle to inject the patient. But isn't the new fresh needle full of air? If you were to push that air out before injection, wouldn't the dose in the syringe now be reduced? The more I practice this skill and watch videos online, I am wondering if it is all just an imprecise technique where you wing it. It is very frustrating because so many sources seem to conflict with each other. [YOUTUBE] [/YOUTUBE]

Thanks!!

From my text, parenteral is a route "other than alimentary canal" (e.g. intraosseus, intravenous, intra-arterial, intramuscular, mucosal), nonparenteral consists of oral and inhalation, and enteral is gastric feeding tube, oral, or rectal. I'm confused as to the relationship of "nonparenteral" and "enteral". Is one a subset of the other or what? If parenteral is non enteral, then isn't nonparenteral non non enteral which would be the same as enteral?

I'm at Homestead, so not sure what is going on at Medical campus. We can wear pretty much anything except for like you said at the lab and clinical. The professors are pretty laid back at Homestead and ok so far. My favorite is Kathy Thomas who gives us a "blueprint" before the test with pretty much all the subject matter on the test. I would say the reading material up to the first test was like 300-400 pages of which I might have read 100 pages. But the "blueprint" TOTALLY saved me. I hope others comment too as I haven't taken all the tests this week yet. Take care. :)

Thank you so much. That is *exactly* what I was looking for.

I was reading on the NANDA FAQ page that The American Nurses Association recognizes 12 languages for nursing. Then I did a Google search and saw other sources that say there are 13 languages for nursing. But I could never find out what exactly they are talking about. Does anyone know what these languages are? Thanks

Can you explain more what that means? I am just a beginning student and have never worked in a hospital or clinic. What is this culture?

That is a great idea. Unfortunately, I am pretty slow and only on #4 of that list lol. I hope to finish by Saturday or Sunday. I wonder if we have to turn the "outline" in. I am trying to enter the info into flashcards and make little pictures instead.

OK, thanks for the advice - very much appreciated. Another thing I forgot about is since I'm only getting an Associates Degree RN, if I have to wait a while to complete testing, find a job, etc, it would be nice to take classes working towards BSN. But as soon as I move to California I lose Florida residency. Until I live in California for at least a year to establish residency, I would probably have to pay super high out-of-state tuition for any classes I take. I guess there are a lot more factors that I hadn't fully considered.

Thanks. I know about the endorsement thing, but am wondering if there is any advantage to taking the NCLEX in California if you know you are going to work there eventually. I read all about their requirement of transcripts (including for pre-requisites), etc and wonder which process would be cheaper in the end. Also, my father and uncle are physicians in California and know several places hiring RNs. I know people keep saying there are no jobs, but I have looked into it and am will to move up to the far northern part of the state where most of my family live. I'm not picky and am willing to work in any capacity. People have tried to discourage me from seeking jobs in the past, but I've never had a problem. I'm willing to take the jobs no one else wants.

K.P.A. and others, can you please expand on why you switched careers or what drew you into nursing? Thanks