What info should be "tattooed" on a nurse's brain?

rn4ever? · Feb 21, 2011

Lab values/normal values are all in the computer. You don't have to memorize them. The important thing to remember is this.....do things correctly always and document-----so they don't haunt you later on.

nurse678 · Feb 21, 2011

When in doubt, ask! :)

Rascal1 · Feb 21, 2011

In addition to the advice from previous posters, Never judge, compassion always and don't assume anything !

SweetOldWorld, BSN, RN · Feb 21, 2011

For those of you with nursing experience, I was wondering what knowledge you rely on all the time at work. This would be info that comes up so often you know it cold, without ever having to look it up, and which most non-medical people wouldn't necessarily know. Anything from knowing that PRN means 'as needed' to normal WBC values to typical side effects of a medication you administer often.
I just thought it would be interesting to see what actual working nurses find necessary to know, and having a list like this might be a neat reference for nursing students and new nurses.

It really depends on where you work. At my job, it's helpful to know what the doctors look like and which ones have really bad handwriting so you can catch them before they leave. That will save you a call later when you need help deciphering their orders. :lol2:

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Feb 21, 2011

really really know CPR and the 5 rights of medication administration

TiffyRN, BSN, PhD · Feb 21, 2011

Look at your patient.

Bad rhythm? Look at your patient.

Funny lab? Look at your patient.

Urine output low? Look at your patient.

The medical system is designed with this catch-all. Nurses are at the bedside moment to moment, they are the eyes and ears of the physician. Good assessment skills take time, use your co-workers as resources. If you have a willing physician, ask them, pick their brains.

When I was studying for NCLEX; some of the test-taking advice I got (regarding prioritization questions) was "The first thing the RN does is assess". This still reverberates in my head when I am trying to problem solve and it helps me focus my mind. The first thing I need to do is assess.

Caffeine_IV · Feb 21, 2011

Phone number for security, codes, nursing supervisor, pharmacy and lab for your workplace. Drill them into your head.

The lab values, medicines and side effects, etc you will just know after so much exposure.

nurse678 · Feb 21, 2011

Some I just thought of...

The only thing that can hang with TPN is insulin.

TPN bag and tubing need changing every 24hrs.

Propofol and tubing need changing every 12 hours.

IV Calcium will crystallize when administered with other meds.

AgentBeast, MSN, RN · Feb 21, 2011

really really know CPR and the 5 rights of medication administration

It's 6 rights;)

Right Med

Right Dose

Right Time

Right Route

Right Patient

Right Documentation

donsterRN, ASN, BSN · Feb 21, 2011

It's 6 rights;)
Right Med
Right Dose
Right Time
Right Route
Right Patient
Right Documentation

I've read in other threads on this board that some schools have as many as 9 or 10 rights of meds! My school taught 5. Must be a school thing...

AgentBeast, MSN, RN · Feb 21, 2011

I've read in other threads on this board that some schools have as many as 9 or 10 rights of meds! My school taught 5. Must be a school thing...

I think the "standard" is 6, although I have another book that lists 10.