Nursing Tips: Principles

An ethics committee is an interdisciplinary team that may be used to provide guidance in the face of an ethical dilemma. 

An epidemic describes an increase in the number of cases of a disease above what is normally expected in a population or area.

Educate patients that canes should be held on the strong side with the handle at the level of the wrist.

Authoritarian parents are those who are strict and require high control but offer little warmth. Authoritative parents have moderate-high control, but offer high amounts of warmth. 

Written educational materials should be provided in the patient's primary language using layman's terms and an appropriate reading level.

Avoid recapping needles to prevent sharps injury. If recapping is unavoidable, use the scoop method to minimize the risk of injury.

A patient who is practicing how to administer their own insulin injections is functioning under the psychomotor domain of learning, as they are not just thinking, but performing an action.

Beneficence is the ethical principle of promoting good, while nonmaleficence is to avoid causing harm.

The timing of nursing interventions for the restrained patient is crucial! 1) Assess the patient's status every 15 minutes. 2) Offer fluids, ROM exercises, and toileting every 2 hours. 3) Immediately remove restraints once the patient is no longer a danger to themselves or others.

Sublimation is marked by an individual transforming unacceptable impulses into socially acceptable behaviors. 

A living will is an advance directive indicating a patient's desired or prohibited medical interventions (e.g., tube feeding, ventilation).

Patients always have the right to refuse medication, even if they have been involuntarily admitted (except in an emergency)! Support the patient's right to autonomy.

A cultural assessment involves the identification of a patient's cultural and spiritual beliefs, practices, and preferences regarding medical interventions, illness, family, diet, pregnancy, death, and postmortem care.

Complicated grief is that which lasts longer than a year and interferes with the individual's daily functioning.

A High-Fowler's position involves the patient sitting with the head of the bed at 60 - 90°. This is the ideal position to help with difficulty breathing.

Bipolar I Disorder is characterized by episodes of severe mania and depression. Bipolar II Disorder is marked by episodes of hypomania (less severe than true mania) and depression.

A Durable Power of Attorney (DPoA) is a document that identifies another person responsible for medical decision-making. This person does not have to be related to the patient.

Recognize behaviors that may indicate an intention to commit suicide . For example: Giving away prized possessions, sudden improvement of mood or calmness, and/or making of final preparations.

IMMUNIZATIONS IN FIRST 6  MONTHS Birth = "B" Hep B 2 Months = "B. Dr. HIP" Hep B, DTAP, RV, Hib, IPV, PCV 4 months = "Dr. HIP" DTAP, RV, Hib, IPV, PCV 6 months = "B. Dr. HIP" Hep B (6-12 months), DTAP, RV, Hib, IPV (3rd dose: 6-18 months), PCV

Airborne precautions require the patient to have a NEGATIVE airflow room. Caregivers and visitors need to wear N95 masks when going in the room.

For a patient at risk forsuicide: DoNOT place a patient at risk for suicide in a private room. Provide 1:1 observation at all times.

Educate families that when giving medication to children, they must use a calibrated device

A nurse should always protect patient privacy per HIPAA laws, except when there is a duty to warn! 

Assault vs. Battery Remember A before B! Assault is threatening a patient, Battery is following through with that threat.