Tricks of the Trade

What are your own little tricks or, hints of the trade when taking care of patients? :)

Example I: One trick I've learned is when a patient is scootched low in bed and I have no help to hoist them up I move the bed out (if possible) and get behind the head of the bed and use their draw/soaker sheet to pull them up. Make sure their head is lowered flat and their feet are elevated a little and it will definately help when you pull. Of course you may have to adjust the draw/soaker sheet when you are done but, at least you got them nicely situated in bed.

Example II: This trick is for the E.R. room...when a patient comes in a bloody mess and the nurse/provider would like you to clean the dry blood from the scalp and hair reach for the KY-Jelly! Just massage into scalp/hair and rinse. Repeat (especially with long/thick hair) until your rinse water is clear.