JenERally

I agree with previous posters; IV success percentage is relative. While there are basic IV skills to master, a large part of your success is going to depend on the patient's clinical status. The only way for your unit to hold you accountable to a cer...

It sounds like you gave report to the RN at the end of your shift at which time the pt became the RNs/LVNs responsibility. While hanging a feeding to gravity may not have been ideal, you did what you could with what you had. Had that RN and LVN prope...

I worked with another nurse who was bitten by a full blown AIDS pt suffering from AIDS-related dementia. The lady had no clue what she was doing, but broke skin nonetheless. My coworker was way more lax about seeking post-exposure prophylaxis than I ...

FMLA can be used by covered employees on a continuous, intermittent or even a combination of both for a total of 12 weeks over a 12 month period.

When someone says that they're dying, take them seriously and don't brush it off as just being dramatic. The sense of impending doom can indicate that a patient is crumping before your eyes.

In the US, employers are basically restricted from health-related inquiries aside from providing an employee with their job description then asking if any accommodations are needed for the employee to perform the essential functions of the position. ...

I absolutely empathize with pts who suffer from gastroparesis, and in no way doubt how painful and debilitating it is, but I also wonder if the opiates used to treat the acute pain can also exacerbate and intensify the pain. Many of our IBD pts requi...

A patient's son and I were just discussing this same topic yesterday. I studied Spanish for 8 years, took and passed an AP class and exam as a senior, and could speak Spanish fluently. Fast forward 15 years, I don't remember 75% of what I once knew. ...

I bet this'll be very interesting. I've found that the most effective bowel preps are those in which thorough prescreening and pt education are properly utilized. If the pt's on a boat load of pain meds and has no clue why they're drinking the prep, ...

My unit is transitioning over to single-use scope buttons in place of traditional, reusable buttons, and several of our docs have been making waves about how the disposable buttons are inferior and wasteful. My NM recently sent out a unit-wide email ...

Minoxidil (Rogaine) to treat hypertension AND baldness! Thorazine (PO then IM) for refractory hiccups. Acetylcysteine for APAP ODs and prevention of renal injury 2/2 contrast medium in already impaired renal function. Cholestyramine, a bile acid sequ...

Glucagon for beta blocker OD. Benadryl for extra pyramidal side effects caused by Reglan. Albuterol neb can help lower K+, though effect is minimal. Dantrolene for malignant hyperthermia.

Demerol's stocked on our unit to treat rigors and postop shivering. The metabolites produced as Demerol is metabolized can reach toxic levels which can lower seizure threshold; therefore, Demerol is generally contraindicated in pts with seizure histo...