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Hi there! My name is Brennyn and I am going to be completing my preceptorship in the NICU and have an assignment that I need to have done before I can start. And I can't wait! I was hoping that you all could help me out with the assignment. I am suppose to ask a NICU nurse the following questions:

Top 10 medical diagnosis

Top 5 nursing diagnosis

Top 5 diagnostic tests

Top 10 routine medications

Top 5 PRN meds

Top 10 clinical skills used in the unit

All I need is a list and from there I look up and learn about the different topics. I would really appreciate any help that you all can give me. I know you all are experts in your field! :bow:

Thank you again! brennyn:D

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Specializes in Neonatal ICU (Cardiothoracic).

I'll swipe the easy one:

Top 5 diagnostic tests:

Chest Xray

Basic Metabolic Panel

Complete Blood Count

Arterial blood gas

Total/direct bilirubin level

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Specializes in NICU.

Top 5 PRN meds:

glycerin! :chuckle

acetaminophen

morphine

versed

um... albuterol?

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Specializes in NICU.

Top 5 PRN meds on my unit: Fentanyl, Acetaminophen, Glycerin, Desatin, Versed

Some medical diagnosis that I can think of:

Prematurity (and Extreme Prematurity)

RDS (along with BPD / CLD)

PDA (along with VSD, ASD... all that "basic" cardiac stuff")

Jaundice

Anemia

ROP

NEC

Cholestasis

IVH

Hope this helped!

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Specializes in Level III NICU.

Top 10 medications

Ampicillin

Gentamicin

Caffeine citrate

Elemental Iron

Aldactone

Chlorothiazide

24% Sucrose

Morphine

Dopamine

Dobutamine

This is what I can think of off the top of my head. Someone else please add something that you think you might use more frequently!

Top 10 clinical skills

heelsticks

IVs (starting and properly securing)

arterial sticks (we do them and new people start after demonstrating decent IV skills)

taping an ETT

listening for a murmur

dropping an NGT

swaddling a cranky baby!

Ok, that's not 10. Someone else help me out!

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Top 10 medical diagnosis

RDS

prematurity

NEC

pneumothorax

gastroschisis

hydrocephalus/IVH

hyperbilirubinemia

birth trauma

Feeding difficulty

Rule out Sepsis

Top 5 nursing diagnosis-we do priorities of care

Maintain O2 sats between (set limits), increase or decrease FiO2 as needed

Prevent infection R/T CVL, ETT, surgical site, etc...

Monitor feeding tolerance

Decrease stimulation, cluster care

Encourage parental participation in care

Top 5 diagnostic tests

CBC/BMP

Upper GI

Chest XRay

KUB

Head US

Top 10 routine medications

Vitamin E

Multi Vits

Iron

Folic Acid

Zantac

Caffeine Citrate

Amp

Gent

HAL

IL

Top 5 PRN meds

Glycerin Chip

Tylenol

Fentanyl

Triple Paste

Ilex

Top 10 clinical skills used in the unit

Heelstick

starting an IV

IV tubing changes

medication administration

NG placement

assessment

suctioning an ETT

vital signs

dressing changes

recovering surgical patients

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Specializes in NICU.

Top 10 medical diagnosis

- Prematurity

- Respiratory Distress

- Hypoglycemia

- Jaundice

- Pulmonary Hypertension

Top 5 nursing diagnosis

- Thermoregulation inffective

- Altered Family Roles/Status

- Risk for Infection

- Ineffective Gas Exchange

- Risk for Disorganized state

Top 5 diagnostic tests

CBC with diff

Electrolytes

Flat plate Chest/Abdomen

Heelstick Eval

Blood Culture

Top 10 routine medications

TPN

Lipids

Gentamicin

Ampicillin

D10 boluses

Caffeine

Dopamine

Albuterol

Vanco

Dilation Drops ( for eye checks)

Top 5 PRN meds

Glycerin suppository

Nystatin Powder

Aquaphor

Albuterol

Morphine/Fentanyl

Top 10 clinical skills used in the unit

- Starting IV's

- Labwork

- Assessing breath sounds

- Assesing heart sounds and murmurs

- Suctioning ( ventilated and non-ventilated)

- Feeding Infants!

- Dressing Changes ( wounds and Broviac)

- Resusitation "aka" saving babies!

- Turning/Repositioning Infants

- Psychology....your not only taking care of the baby but their parents!

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I can't thank you all enough to giving me good insight into your unit. Our teacher requires that we research and know about all of the above before setting foot in a unit where our preceptorship takes place. I think its a great idea and helps us not be so clueless. Thanks again!! ;)

Brennyn

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