Nursing Tips: Fundamentals

The MOST important side effect to know for BOTH hyperkalemia and hypokalemia is DYSRHYTHMIAS.

Hospice care is focused on palliative care (i.e. symptom management), NOT on curing a disease.

Types of immunity: Active natural: Body produces antibodies in response to exposure to a live pathogen. Active artificial: Body produces antibodies in response to a vaccine.  Passive natural: Antibodies are passed from the mom to her baby through the placenta and breastmilk. Passive artificial: Immunoglobuins are administered to an individual after exposure to a pathogen.

Blood pressure cuffs: If the cuff is too large, you will get a falsely low reading. If the cuff is too small, you will get a falsely high reading.

Oxygen safety: Use COTTON bedding and clothes (vs. synthetic fabrics or wool).

Response to a FIRE: Use the RACE sequence. R = rescue (move patients to safer location). A = alarm (activate alarm system). C = contain (close doors/windows, turn off oxygen sources). E = extinguish (use fire extinguisher).

Apical pulse is taken at the fifth intercostal space at the left midclavicular line.

With the ABCDE principle in Nursing, A is for "airway". Ensure the patient has a patent airway AND the cervical spine is stabilized if neck/head trauma is suspected.

If labwork indicates there is a "Left Shift" in WBCs, this means that the body is fighting an infection and releasing many immature WBCs in response.

Contact precautions require caregivers and visitors to wear a gown and gloves when going into the patient's room.

The  Speech Language Pathologist is a key member of your interprofessional team. In addition to helping patients with speech and language issues, they evaluate and assist with SWALLOWING issues.

DISCHARGE planning for a patient starts at ADMISSION.

An Occupational Therapist (OT) is a key member of the interprofessional team. They help patients regain their ability to perform their ADLs (Activities of Daily Living). Examples of ADLs: brushing teeth, getting dressed, using the bathroom.

Always try LESS invasive interventions FIRST.

Example: Move a patient at risk for falls to a room near the nursing station vs. placing restraints.

Incident reports should NOT be part of the patient's chart, and incident reports should NOT be referenced in the patient's chart.

Preventing falls: Do not place all 4 bed rails UP for patient who try to get out of bed on their own.

Nurses are required to report suspicion of abuse.  You do not need to gather more information or provide proof.

In order to give informed consent, a patient must be an unimpaired adult (ex: no drugs, alcohol, hallucinations) or an emancipated minor.

When assessing HOME safety for older adults, it is important to remove scatter rugs!