Although nursing documentation may at times seem overwhelming, it is a key part of nursing practice. Colloquially known as “charting,” nursing documentation provides a record of nursing care provided to a patient, family, or community. Charting and, more specifically, nursing notes, allow nurses to demonstrate that the care they provided was ethical, safe, and informed … Read more
The term “diagnosis” is defined as an agreed-upon clinical judgment. When we think of a diagnosis, it is often thought of as a medical diagnosis, such as high blood pressure. In its simplest form, a nursing diagnosis is determined by nurses based on their scope and clinical judgment to guide patient care. Nursing diagnoses encompass … Read more
While many acute care settings use electronic pumps to calculate IV flow rates, there are many scenarios in which nurses need to know how to calculate drip rates manually! For example, when working in rural or low-resource environments, electronic intravenous pumps may not be available. Even when electronic pumps are available, nurses should know how … Read more
Vertigo is a sensation that makes the patient feel that the surrounding environment is spinning or moving, resulting in dizziness and poor balance. This condition is often caused by a problem with the inner ear but may also occur due to infections or tumors in the brain. Typical causes include: Clinical manifestations of vertigo are … Read more
When an urinary tract infection is left untreated, it can spread systemically, leading to urosepsis, causing organ failure and death. Urosepsis is sepsis due to an infection of the urinary tract, bladder, or kidneys. Nearly a quarter of sepsis cases occur from a urogenital infection. Signs and Symptoms Symptoms of urosepsis depend on the infected … Read more
The pancreas, a flat, pear-shaped gland that is part of the digestive system, is located behind the lower part of the stomach and surrounded by the liver, small intestines, gallbladder, and spleen. It is composed of endocrine cells that secrete hormones like insulin and exocrine cells that secrete enzymes to aid digestion. Pancreatic cancer develops … Read more
The knees are one of the most complex joints in the body. They support most of the body’s weight, making it prone to injuries and overuse. Knee replacement surgery is a procedure that replaces parts of an injured knee joint to relieve knee discomfort and resolve issues with mobility and ambulation. Artificial plastic or metal … Read more
Hematuria is the term used to describe the presence of blood in the urine. Gross hematuria is urine that appears pink, red, or cola-colored. Sometimes the blood cannot be visualized but is found through a urinalysis called microscopic hematuria. Hematuria itself is not painful; however, other associated symptoms and causes can cause pain. Blood in … Read more
Places on the body where it is possible to feel the arterial pulse are also commonly called pulse points. You can feel the pulse of the artery at some places on the body where the artery is close enough to the surface of the skin that you can feel the pulse of blood as the … Read more
Metabolic alkalosis occurs when the body contains excessive amounts of base or alkali. This occurs when there is a loss of acid or hydrogen or a gain in bicarbonate. A normal pH level is 7.35 – 7.45. An increase above this range is alkalosis. If bicarbonate (HCO3) increases or carbon dioxide (CO2) decreases, alkalosis will … Read more