What have you learned in nursing school that was utter nonsense?

[TheMiss]

A nursing friend and I recently discussed what we still learned in nursing school that later proofed to be utter nonsense outright or just became really outdated. I found it quite interesting and was wondering what everyone else remembers?

One of the things I thought of was the myth of your tongue having different taste zones.

[needlesmcgeeRN, ASN, RN]

Nonesense and outdated - making nursing diagnoses!

I use NDx daily. Granted, I could still accomplish this part of my job without them.

[qmweng]

Disclaimer: I can't say with 100% certainty, but I believe I was taught this. I do remember paying close attention because my instructors stressed how ICP issues could kill quickly.

Subarachnoid precautions: dim room, pull the shades, absolute quiet, and flat bedrest. Uh...... if someone has ICP issues, one of the things that will harm that pt is to lower the HOB. In fact, raising the HOB is an immediate nursing intervention for high ICP. Besides, if someone is in dire life and death danger from high ICPs, they're going to be intubated, sedated, cooled, and possibly paralyzed.

They also taught us about burr holes as a last resort for high ICPs. I have never ever in 13 yrs, seen a burr hole. I've seen scores (if not hundreds) of craniectomies, but not burr holes.

Actually we were taught to elevate the HOB at 15-30 degree or a low fowler position in case of an increased ICP. The reason being it assists in cerebral venous drainage which helps to stabilize ICP. We don't elevate the bed any higher because it could cause a decrease in cerebral tissue perfusion and subsequently leading to further problems.

[needlesmcgeeRN, ASN, RN]

Folding corners of bed sheets!!!! It was on our first day of clinicals ( we even had to show our skills in lab) This was about 10 years ago and Was so outdated but my school felt we needed to learn "the basics". Since I started my career I have never even seen an instructor show their students any basic care which I think is a shame!! Although folding corners was a bit crazy I still think being shown the importance of making a bed as a nurse to be humbling!

We learned all of "the basics" in Fundamentals.

[suseliz, MSN, RN]

Means, modes, and EOC's. Whatever the heck those were.