elthia

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All Content by elthia

  1. elthia

    Things you'd LOVE to be able to tell patients, and get away with it.

    elthia replied to AngelfireRN's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    I meant more likely would would be shocking him out of Vtach. He was having runs of vtach lasting up to, NOT exageratting 80+ beats...and then would go back to afib...very scary....especially since my...
  2. elthia

    So upset got passed for charge

    elthia replied to Emilysmom2, RN's topic in General Nursing

    On my floor, even the nurse manager empties trashcans and answers call lights if need be...that's nursing 101. My old nurse director used to also...but then he got promoted, now he is the assistant...
  3. elthia

    Things you'd LOVE to be able to tell patients, and get away with it.

    elthia replied to AngelfireRN's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    Sir, you are having runs of Vtach...that is a fatal heart rhythm...and your implanted defibrillator is not working... I know that you have an established relationship with a certain doctor who...
  4. elthia

    Cardiac Sheaths

    elthia replied to debthern's topic in Cardiac

    Sometimes I have had up to 6 pt's with one of them being a sheath pt... And when I do have 4 pt's with one of them being a sheath pt, the LPN's throw a fit because the have a higher pt ratio than the...
  5. elthia

    So upset got passed for charge

    elthia replied to Emilysmom2, RN's topic in General Nursing

    My floor has people who are designated charge nurses, and when they are off, the other nurses fill in. The designated charge nurses apply and interview for the position. On their days off, the nurse...
  6. elthia

    How to tell you've worked too many shifts in a row

    elthia replied to nerdtonurse?'s topic in Nursing Humor

    You sit down on the couch for just a second...and wake up 6 hours later...still in your scrubs, and your glasses are still on. The phrase "would anyone like to go "on call"" is enough to start an all...
  7. elthia

    cardiomyopathy with ef of 10%

    elthia replied to gentle's topic in General Nursing

    I agree with Roy lots of questions. I do know, when we had a pt with a similar EF of around 15% or so, the pt was on the transplant list, and we had orders to administer his meds even if his SBP was...
  8. elthia

    Cortisol Stim Test

    elthia replied to gcj95's topic in MICU, SICU

    I'm a bit fuzzy on this, others can feel free to clarify.. but basically In primary adrenal insufficiency and Addison's disease the base cortisol will be low 10- teens and after the cosyntropin (med)...
  9. elthia

    What is the difference between monophasic and biphasic defibrillators?

    elthia replied to EJSRN's topic in General Nursing

    To quote my ACLS instructor... when in doubt and you have a pt in Vfib or pulseless Vtach and you are going to shock, charge it all the way the machine will go, CLEAR and SHOCK. Most people will not...
  10. elthia

    Patients falling

    elthia replied to zoopnever's topic in General Nursing

    The problem with bed alarms is that I've noticed I always seem to hear the bed alarm going off, run in the room to hear crash, and see pt on the floor. OR the bed alarm goes off when I'm in the middle...
  11. elthia

    Diagnoses you never thought you'd see?

    elthia replied to KarafromPhilly's topic in General Nursing

    calcyphylaxis in an endstage renal pt. There was nothing we could do to prevent new necrotic sores from occurring on the pt's body. Her body was just literally rotting away a little bit at a...
  12. elthia

    Whistleblower Blues in Fort Worth, Texas

    elthia replied to crippersmom's topic in Activism, Healthcare

    I have been in this situation, document everything. Document what errors you find, what you did. Keep a personal account of what what your NM tries to write you up for, and what actually happened....
  13. elthia

    What is your biggest nursing pet peeve?

    elthia replied to ferfer's topic in General Nursing

    Nurse's and HUC's that disregard orders instead of getting clarification. Last night I had a postop pt that should have had a PCA started, however because the order was written for PACU not the...
  14. elthia

    amiodarone

    elthia replied to Special31's topic in MICU, SICU

    Adenosine is a firstline drug for most stable narrow complex pre-entry SVT, and can be used for unstable narrow complex SVT prior to
  15. elthia

    I am probably tired, but I am sad

    elthia replied to qaqueen's topic in Nursing Student Assistance

    The Kubler Ross model of grief states there are 5 stages of grief. Denial Anger Bargaining Depression Acceptance. It's more of a cycle...and pt's can move up and down the list. I've learned that...
  16. elthia

    Tips for New Interns: How To Get Along With The Nurse

    elthia replied to Ruby Vee's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    I have to say, one of the associate Dean's my hospital is associated with is the head of the physician escalation commitee, and he is well known to be "the nurse's advocate" at the hospital. Interns...
  17. elthia

    Diluting IV narcotics = narcotics tampering?

    elthia replied to mcknis's topic in Patient Medications

    Ummm...I've had morphine IV push undiluted in a hand IV and it stung, not as bad as phenergan...but if I ever have morphine again, and I'm not having an acute MI, dilute it in 5-10 ml of NS thank you...
  18. elthia

    Really Bad Code...

    elthia replied to al7139's topic in Cardiac

    The sternum should be wired together, so just compress away. The skin incision will open, and sometimes I've heard of the doctor's opening the sternum to do cardiac massage on the fresher open hearts...
  19. elthia

    My God, these family members!!

    elthia replied to SoundofMusic's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    there have been documented patient complaints, where pt family members came to the desk and asked for the nurse. they were told the nurse was at lunch. instead of asking for someone else, or further...
  20. elthia

    My God, these family members!!

    elthia replied to SoundofMusic's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    We are not allowed to say the nurse is "at lunch". Per management. The scripted line we are to say is..."your nurse is currently unavailable at this moment, what may I assist you with." Apparently...
  21. elthia

    States with shortages?

    elthia replied to fabiusgile's topic in First Year After Licensure

    I know M D Anderson in Houston is laying off staff, around 1000. However Central Texas has built several new hospitals in the past few years and still has a nursing shortage, the area has been using...
  22. elthia

    What is your biggest nursing pet peeve?

    elthia replied to ferfer's topic in General Nursing

    I couldn't agree
  23. elthia

    Bariatric Patients

    elthia replied to Lunah's topic in Emergency

    We have 2 pt's on my floor right now that weigh upward of 500 pounds, and they both have been there for months. We have had to rent special beds, chairs, and other equipment. It is extremely difficult...
  24. elthia

    What Are you thankful for this Easter?

    elthia posted a topic in General Nursing

    My memories of Easter are always of family and friends, huge meals, frilly dresses, springtime. Later as I grew older it always seemed a time of renewal and a time of promise. In the past 5 years,...
  25. elthia

    Weight Lifting RN's

    elthia replied to Bo Shoi Ming's topic in Male Nursing Students

    The thing of it is, there is a difference between lifting a box in a setting when you can use proper body mechanics. And assisting a patient that suddenly panics, fights you, twists, goes limp..or you...