#student nursing

[alouiadina]

English major to nursing major, how does student nursing work? I don't know if that's the right terminology, but it would be great if someone could explain it to me.

[bn-studies]

Hello! With back to school fast approaching I've come up with a list of 10 self-care activities to do; one each day. In previous years I would have a self-care weekend the weekend before school starts but this year I know I will likely have to start studying the weekend prior.

1. Hair Mask (just 🥥 oil and a shower cap)

2. Binge Favorite Show or Youtube Channel

3. Paint Nails

4. Create New Playlist for Fall 2019 🍂

5. Organize Work Space

6. Go See a Movie/Watch a Movie on Netflix

7. Create a Weekly Self Care Plan (mine will be Sunday afternoons) to help you rest and recharge, avoiding burn out.

8. Face Mask

9. Hang out purposefully with someone who makes you happy (play cards, go for a walk, volunteer)

10. Clean Your Home/Space (or if you live in dorms, set up your space in a way that is functional and creates a safe space for you to practice self-care during the year)

Feel free to reblog and use or add your own! Happy pre back to school!

Remember: you can’t pour from an empty cup!

[erica-the-rn]

Fluids and Electrolytes: Sodium

Sodium is a cation that is found in the extracellular fluid. It helps to maintain osmolarity in the ECF. We get sodium from foods and drinks that we intake. It is a deciding factor in the retention or release of fluids. Sodium also is required for the generation of electrical signals in the body. The amount of fluid in the body is almost directly inverse to the amount of sodium in the body.

Hyponatremia:

What causes it?

Excess fluid volume

Diabetes insipidus

Diuretics

Low-Salt Intake

What does it look like?

Changes in level of consciousness

Muscle weakness (due to decreased electrical conduction)

Changes in cardiac output r/t FVE or FVD

Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting

How do we treat it?

Priority goes to airway, breathing, and circulation! If muscle weakness is present, check respiratory status! So, we want to correct hyponatremia, but we do not want to overtreat them, thus causing hypernatremia. We want to treat this by pushing sodium, either via IV fluids or salty intake. If sodium levels are extremely low (like about 120), we want to give 3% saline fluids. You need to be monitoring IV flow rate and lab levels. Again, we do not want to overcorrect. 

Hypernatremia:

What causes it?

Kidney Failure

Cushing’s Syndrome

Excess Intake of Sodium

Dehydration

What does it look like?

Muscle twitching and irregular contractions

Cardiac changes (I’m not kidding: it can be increased, normal, or decreased)

Neck veins are distended

Hypertension

How do we treat it?

Firstly, we want to restrict their sodium and maintain adequate fluids. We also want to give an isotonic IV fluid (0.9) or even D5 in 0.45% NaCl. We also will see diuretics prescribed, usually Lasix. 

[sabriel]

Today was the last day of my first practicum/ nursing experience. At the beginning I was terrified, I had no experience, no idea of what to expect. It has turned out to be a very positive experience, far better that what I expected. I learned so much and it was a joy to work with the patients in the ward that I was assigned to. 

[erica-the-rn]

[futurenursehannah]

just a little nursing moodboard i made to go next to my study tracker in my bullet journal. all pics are sourced on pinterest (let me know if you need credit for ur pic!)

[erica-the-rn]

Oncology and Nutrition

The patient with cancer has a lot of problems; one of them being impaired GI function. They’re losing weight. They’re dehydrated. However, they’re also nauseous and vomiting. They may even have diarrhea. This is a very hard situation to deal with. So what do we do?

Well, depending on the type of cancer, there could be some physical obstacles that we have to overcome, but I am going to post that review at a later date, titled “Consistency Diets”. What I want to deal with today is muscle wasting, weight maintenance, and impaired wound healing.

When we treat patients with cancer, most usually they are immunocompromised or neutropenic, as we discussed in my Basic Cancer review. So, as a disclaimer, let me reinforce, do not give these patients raw vegetables, fruits, or any type of undercooked meats. 

With cancer patients, they need a higher amount of calories and proteins. The reason being is that they have slow wound healing and are usually malnourished. Most cancer patients have lost weight unintentionally due to nausea and vomiting. 

Foods that are high in protein are fish and seafood, poultry (white meat has the most protein), different types of nuts, eggs, soy, and yogurt. A lot of proteins can be odorous, however, and cancer patients may not have the appetite to hold down nauseating smells. If that is the case, we can always offer protein drinks and packed calorie shakes like Mighty Shakes, Ensure, Glucerna, and Boost. 

Depending on the type of appetite they have day-to-day, try to offer small, frequent meals and snacks to these patients. You want these snacks to be high calorie. This is going to include fruits dipped in syrup, peanut butter and crackers, mashed potatoes and gravy, and whole milk products. Puddings, jellos, snack cakes, and ice cream may be enticing to patients. 

Of course, you have all read about my love for oatmeal. Oatmeal is a filling food and it can be odorless. You can also serve it to your patient hot or cold depending on how they feel that day. Whatever fruits they’d like added to it can be added as long as its washed thoroughly.

I’d like to also add that these patients need food. They are fighting a hard battle inside of their bodies. They may want foods that you would normally not recommend to other patients, but if that’s the only thing they will eat and want to eat, get it for them. You just want them to eat and be happy while they can.  I’ve worked in the dietary department of a few facilities and I can say with 100% feeling that my favorite moments have always been making that special meal for a patient and seeing their eyes light up and the plate come back completely empty. Remember that cancer patients need comfort. Food can be one of the most comforting things to give. 

Okay guys! Til next time!