Nursing Blog

by: Ben Escomm Some of you may have heard that afib is common, comes with age, and is harmless. Not necessarily true. Clots can form in the heart from atrial fibrillation which can lead to a stroke. Afib may start as happening only every so often, but it usually leads to more episodes, which may lead to a more permanent episode (i.e. occurring all the time). The irregularity in the heart rate can cause you to be symptomatic. And there are some studies that are looking at a link between afib and heart failure. So atrial fibrillation is not something to take lightly and it should be managed by your doctor. No doubt, if your doctor has diagnosed you with atrial fibrillation, then he or she has already started you on some drug treatment. The most common would be a blood thinner to prevent a clot from forming in the heart and thus reducing the potential for a stroke. When a patient is in atrial fibrillation, their heart is very irregular and sometimes can race at a rate of between 100 and 1

The question "profession or not" has never been satisfactorily answered, not least because the definition of 'profession' is not exactly a fixed item. However, some aspects of the definition might be considered 'core items'. A profession has a unique body of knowledge and values - and a perspective to go with it. A profession has controlled entry to the group eg registration A profession demonstrates a high degree of autonomous practice. A profession has its own disciplinary system. A profession enjoys the Recognition and Respect of the wider community. 1. Nursing DOES have a unique body of knowledge and values, but all too often adopts the medical perspective over its own; most acadamic nurses these days don't try very hard to inject new nurses with any values other than the medical model (Yes, there are exceptions!). In that sense, nursing can only ever be a 'profession allied to medicine', not a true profession in its own right. 2.

Team Management of Patients With Heart Failure A Statement for Healthcare Professionals From the Cardiovascular Nursing Council of the American Heart Association Kathleen L. Grady, PhD, RN; Kathleen Dracup, DNSc, RN; Gemma Kennedy, PhD, RN; Debra K. Moser, DNSc, RN; Mariann Piano, PhD, RN; Lynne Warner Stevenson, MD; James B. Young, MD Key Words: AHA Scientific Statement • heart failure • prevention Heart failure is estimated to affect 4 to 5 million Americans, with 550 000 new cases reported annually.1 In the past 3 decades, both the incidence and prevalence of heart failure have increased.1 2 3 Factors that have contributed to this increase are the aging US population and improved survival rates in patients with cardiovascular disease due to advancements in diagnostic techniques and medical and surgical therapies.2 4 5 6 Heart failure is a chronic, progressive disease that is characterized by frequent hospital admissions and ultimately high mortality rates. Because of its high medica

Proper breathing allows air to enter all areas of the lungs. This increases your chest movement, and strengthens the muscles used for breathing and coughing. These breathing exercises will help to decrease your rate of breathing, pain, and risk for lung infections. You may find it helpful to do these exercises in front of a mirror so you can watch how you are breathing. Breathe in deeply and do the exercises slowly for the best benefit. Do each breathing exercise 5-10 times, three times each day. Breathe in through your nose. Purse your lips like you are going to blow a Whistle or blow out a candle. Breathe out slowly through pursed lips. Lie flat on your back. Place a book on top of your stomach or lay your hands there. Take a breath in through your nose and feel the book or your hands rise. Slowly let the air out through your nose and feel the book or your hands lower. Your breaths should be easy and without effort. Sit in a chair or stand up straight. Place both hands on the middle

The main symptoms of osteoarthritis are pain and stiffness in the joints. The pain usually increases after exercise. Rheumatoid arthritis is often called the 'cooked food disease'. lt usually develops gradually over several months, with persistent pain and stiffness in one or more joints. Ultimately the whole body is affected. Symptoms include anemia, colitis, constipation, deformed hands and feet. Cause of Rheumatoid Arthritis :- Structural changes in the articular cartilage in the joints. Osteoarthritis results from structural changes in the articular cartilage in the joints, usually those which are weight-bearing, such as the spine and knees. Hormonal imbalance, physical and emotional stress. Rheumatoid arthritis is due to an inflammation of the synovium or lining of the joints. This is accompanied by swelling and eventually leads to deformity. The condition may be caused by hormonal imbalance, physical and emotional stress, infection, severe fright, shock, and

What is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome - Its term used to describe the range of disorders that arise in children after exposure to alcohol during pregnancy. They are entirely avoidable and the most common preventable cause of birth defects and brain damage in children. The disorders in order of most to least severe are: (1) Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) (2) Partial fetal alcohol syndrome (pFAS) (3) Alcohol related neurodevelopmental disorders (ARND) (4) Alcohol related birth defects (ARBD) The more alcohol a pregnant woman drinks, the higher the risk of damage to herself and to the developing baby because of alcohol crosses the placenta and produces the same blood alcohol level in the fetal circulation. Before few days ago, I read one article about health care tips in which described that, Alcohol can damage fetal development is during the first trimester, specifically between three and six weeks, this is the time when organs are forming. It can also increases the risk of miscarriage, st

Gastritis, a condition that involves the irritation and inflammation of the stomach, afflicts millions of people. Any number of things causes it, from injury to bacteria. In that respect, it is akin to a headache: It can strike anyone, and it can be caused by a wide variety of factors both internal and external. It can be divided into 3 categories: (1) Erosive and hemorrhagic gastritis (2) Non erosive and nonspecific gastritis (3) Specific gastritis indicative of a disorder. Gastritis Symptoms:- (1) A burning pain similar to indigestion in your upper abdomen. (2) Nausea. A “sick-to-your-stomach” kind of feeling, which may or may not be accompanied by vomiting. (3) Loss of appetite. This tends to go along with nausea, but many gastritis patients find they have no appetite even when they’re not feeling nauseated. After a couple of mouthfuls they’re done. (4) Belching or bloating. This can simply be gas, but if it’s chronic or severe, it could be caused by gastritis. (5) Feeling particul

Your newborn baby is an amazing creature. The many reflexes he or she is born with help transition them to life and learn what they need to survive. Here are some of these reflexes to help you get to know your baby better: Moro Reflex: When you fail to support or hold the neck and head, the arms of your baby will thrust outward and then seem to embrace them selves as their fingers curl. This reflex disappears at about 2 months of age. It is also known as the startle reflex. Palmar Grasp: When you touch the palm of your baby's hand, the fingers will curl around and cling to your finger or an object. This is a good reflex to take advantage of with other children, to allow the baby to "hold" their hand. This reflex also makes it difficult to obtain handprints until it disappears at about 6 months. Plantar Grasp: This reflex occurs when you stroke the sole of your baby's foot, his toes will spread open and the foot will turn slightly inward. It is also known as the Babins

Whenever we are working on a particular assignment we should always keep a track of all our observation and keep note of every happening regarding the matter. Such types of notes are really helpful for both the experienced and fresher in any field; even sometimes the updated notes kept by any senior member can act as a knowledge enhancer for a new team member. So it is advisable for all of us to keep detail about our work schedule and prioritize them accordingly. Especially the people who are related with the service industry these type of habit of keeping notes of every detail about their appointments and daily work that can be really helpful in their profession. For example if the nurses can keep detail about their work schedule in a nurse report sheet that can help them in future for referring to a particular case. The report sheet in which different professional including the nursing staff keep a track about their work are just like a little note book that can be carried at any pla

The most important discovery of the last century – computer and the Internet – has made distance education reality. It also concerns online nursing courses, due to which obtaining an online nursing degree is no longer just a dream, but it may become real like never earlier. With the distance education an individual doesn’t have to wait long months in order to get enrolled into the generally accepted nursing schools. Let us study what are the most significant advantages of attending an online school. First of all, a person doesn’t Have to spend long hours on the classes, thus saving much time. Besides, you don’t have to spend your precious time on transportation and searching for free parking places. In addition, you will save much money on transportation and gasoline, as well as on studying as distance education is less expensive than that in the generally accepted colleges and schools. Finally, online programs suggest very flexible schedule that will allow you to spend more time with

Old age and health conditions will one day happen to aging parents and this is an unavoidable reality each concerned adult will confront. Being mindful of this, nursing homes in New Jersey really should come to mind since this supplies the required strategies to provide senior people the quality existence they ought to have. Have we talked about this yet? Talking things over is better before anybody all of a sudden decides to move into nursing homes. New Jersey families must sit back and talk about issues because this changes everything for both the parents and the children. Lots of aging parents would certainly like to obtain guarantees for visiting plans, taking care of the current house, and a lot more because these are facts in life. If speaking with your mother seems daunting, try getting support from your folk's friend or from a spiritual leader they believe in. For instance, maybe you can convince your mom or dad's best friend to drop by and talk about things or possibly

An initial step in detecting liver damage is a simple blood test to determine the presence of certain liver enzymes (proteins) in the blood. Under normal circumstances, these enzymes reside within the cells of the liver. But when the liver is injured for any reason, these enzymes are spilled into the blood stream. Enzymes are proteins that are present throughout the body, each with a unique function. Enzymes help to speed up (catalyze) routine and necessary chemical reactions in the body. Among the most sensitive and widely used liver enzymes are the aminotransferases. They include aspartate aminotransferase (AST or SGOT) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT or SGPT). These enzymes are normally contained within liver cells. If the liver is injured or damaged, the liver cells spill these enzymes into the blood, raising the enzyme levels in the blood and signaling the liver disease. What are the aminotransferases? The aminotransferases catalyze chemical reactions in which an a

46668 Features: -Chiropractic massage treatment table. -Color: Blue. -Includes ergonomic dream 6-way adjustable face cradle, matched pillow with a layer for memory foam, alternate solid head rest, adjustable and removable arm rest, adjustable and removable forearm shelves at either end of table for guaranteed comfort, paper roll holder. -Steel frame. -Positioning capability. -Height can be effortlessly adjusted from 17'' to 36'' with the touch of a button, 4-piece back and knee lift sections optimize the client's position for best results. -Deluxe size 30'' and 2.5'' thick small cell foam support largest clients comfortably and safely. -6-Way adjustable face cradle, ergonomically designed face port, alternate solid head rest and removable arm rests, brings unlimited possibilities to your practices. -UL listed motors. -Ships fully assembled. -CFC-free, oil and waterproof upholstery with strong denim-like reinforcement backing for extra durability. -Le

Master Massage 32" Titan Lx - Perfect for Large Clients! by Master Product Description Made with your Larger Clients in Mind! Widest table on the Market! Solid Ash (Baseball Bat Wood) Construction! The Gibraltar Massage Table by Master® is about revolutionary size and strength! At 32" wide with oversized solid Ash Wood legs and DOUBLE THICKNESS bed it's weight capacity is 3,200 lb.! The cushion is 3" of thick Small CellTM foam with a generous layer of Memory Foam. The Gibraltar Massage Table is NOT light but IS wildly strong AND SUPER comfortable for all clients. At 55 lb, the Gibraltar is 'foldable and not so "portable", but is the STRONGEST and MOST COMFORTABLE table made for ANY client. Other features are the soft but super tough Italia upholstery, our famous "Ergonomic Dream Adjustable Face Cradle", a Comfort Bolster, a strong and comfortable armrest shelf, the world's best 2-pocket carrying ca

by: Gary Krieg Learn Why These Menopause Symptoms And What You Can Do To Relieve Them Women can experience a lot of different menopause symptoms when they enter the menopausal stage. Some of these things can really be distressing. They can happen gradually or they can take you by surprise by happening all of a sudden. In this article, I’m going to discuss a few of the most common symptoms that may be experiencing right now if you’re already menopausal. The first symptoms that we’re going to discuss are light headedness, dizziness, and loss of balance. Dizziness is described as a transient spinning sensation or a feeling of lightheadedness. This can also be described as one’s inability to maintain good balance when standing up or walking. Dizziness is a symptom of a lot of medical conditions. There are certain things that people can do to cope with dizziness. If you think that your dizziness is not associated with menopause, you should see your doctor so that you can determi

Intentional or unintentional, child abuse has a great impact on the physical as well as physiological health of a child. This distressing event can happen anywhere like at homes, schools, organizations ethnic or cultural groups. Physical harms involve lifelong health problems along with cognitive difficulties. When you talk about emotional effects, it results in low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, difficulties in managing relationships and even personality disorder. Here the role of depression treatment center comes into picture. Don’t ignore the signs of child abuse. It’s no less than a crime. A relevant treatment center can rescue the sufferer from the pangs of depression and anxiety. How to find out whether a person is in a state of depression? As per medical experts, the most common symptoms are when the feelings of negativity, anxiety, agitation and anger are overpowering rest of the emotions. If a child is losing his interest in everyday’s activities, immediat

Prevention of Herpes Simplex Because the chances of contracting this disease increase with the number of sexual partners a person has, limiting the number of partners is the first step toward prevention. To keep herpes from spreading, intimate contact should be avoided when sores are on the body. Itching, burning or tingling may occur just before the sores develop. Sexual intercourse should be avoided during this time. Herpes can even be spread when there are no sores or symptoms. To minimize the risk of spreading herpes, latex condoms should be used during all sexual contact. Spermicidal foams and jellies may offer added protection although the evidence on this is controversial. The herpes virus can also be spread by touching the sores and then touching another part of the body. If you touch the sores, wash your hands with soap and water as soon as possible. Also, do not share towels or clothing with anyone. Babies can be infected with the herpes virus. If pregnant, you should tell yo

Is having a good income and stability among your key factors in choosing a career? Then registered nursing just might be for you. In a 2006 article, CNN lists registered nursing as one of the ten best-paying jobs that can be obtained with an associate's degree. In the article, they note that this job requiring only an Associate's Degree often pays better than many jobs requiring bachelor's degrees. The quoted average annual salary for registered nurses of $52,000. By enrolling at an accredited nursing program, you can already obtain an Associate Degree in Nursing. Your state board of nursing will have a list of the approved nursing schools in your area or all throughout the state. You also have the option to take the 4-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing but take note, this degree does not automatically entitle you to higher pay. For as long as you pass the NCLEX-RN exam, whether you graduated with an associate or a bachelor degree, you are a registered nurse. While some ho

The nursing profession is considered one of the noblest professions of the day. A well-trained and registered nurse is expected to be the personification of high values and tolerance. He or she is supposed to stand for whatever is right and equitable in terms of faith and in the treatment being given to the patients in accordance to the patient’s full recovery. The contemporary nursing practice is versatile and spreads across a spectrum of duties and responsibilities. Most of the responsibilities of nurses and professional nursing ethics are not spelt on paper because he or she is expected to emulate the best under any circumstance. The American colleges of nursing are continuously working in this sector. Somehow, over the past decade, the monetary gains and the associated freebies have corrupted the practice. It is very difficult to narrow down to the do’s and don’ts of the nursing code of ethics, but it is very important to understand the implications involved. There are now numerous

Because of the medical shortage, 587,000 new jobs are projected to be opening coming from 2006 in order to 2016, increasing the current number of jobs by Twenty three percent. Authorized nursing colleges are those universities that are recognized by non-governmental organizations. Registered nursing universities also need their college students to complete the particular NCLEX-RN national certification examination. Authorized nursing specialists could also be surgery and modern care nurse practitioners who are centered on improving the quality of life for crictally ill patients. This program is designed for the objective of providing extra opportunities for anyone interested in obtaining a license and practicing as a registered nurse. There are numerous registered nursing schools in the United States that offer nursing programs; brief and intensive nursing plans that continue for around eight to ten months. At the end of the Registered Medical Training Program, you will receive a Regis

You will discover different diseases connected with exposure to asbestos. Nonetheless, you need to know that one of the most frequent diseases linked with asbestos start in a person's lungs. Due to this, you will discover selected asbestos signs and symptoms you could appear for inside a person to determine if he or she is suffering from an asbestos lung disease. Shortness of breath - Are you often running out of breath? Cannot you even go up one particular flight of stairs with no panting or wheezing? Shortness of breath is regularly a symptom of asbestos illnesses. This can be because the asbestos fibers inside your body have irritated your lungs to a point that scar tissue has currently formed across the air sacs of your lungs. This implies that oxygen can't travel from one particular air sac to a further. This signifies that you simply are processing oxygen very inefficiently. Because of this, you need to take breaths far more often. An issue with this asbestos symptom lies

The top 10 industry associations in nursing cover all the bases – education, job searches, career advice, industry news, licensing information, links to discounted scrubs and equipment and much more. It is important for such a significant industry to have so many resources available for its practitioners, so they can better serve the communities around them. These following nursing industry associations are great resources for nurses in all stages of their careers, nursing students and those considering going into nursing in the near future. 1. American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing: This national organization is dedicated to professional nurses who work in ambulatory settings. 2. American Association of Critical Care Nurses: Since its founding in 1969, the AACN has evolved into the largest organization for any nursing specialty with 65,000 international members. 3. American Association of Nurse Anesthetists: The AANA, which was founded in 1931, is the professional association tha

For anyone who is informed you have multiple myeloma, you might be confused as to what it really is or what kinds of treatment you will likely have to undergo. Multiple myeloma may also be named plasma cell myeloma or more commonly known as Kahler's disease. This condition is actually a cancer of the plasma cells of the body. Plasma cells are types of white blood cells that are critical to producing antibodies. The physiology of this illness is when large quantities of abnormal cells collect within the bones . Here they produce damage in the bone marrow. This serious damage results in the interference of normal blood cell generation. There are quite a few different signs of multiple myeloma an individual may experience if they are affected by this disease. Among those symptoms include pain in the bones. The most common areas of this bone pain generally occurs in the backbone and the ribs and may actually worsen with exercise. Infection is also a sign or symptom of this disease. Typ

The most difficult occupational field is associated with the field of medicine. It is a practice in which you need to work with people while they are in distress. Many difficult decisions need to be made in seconds and the emotions of the relatives of the patient also need to be kept in mind. And within this difficult profession, the most challenging is pediatric nursing. This profession requires diligence and a strong commitment to work. Handling crying and wailing children can be quite heartbreaking at times. But you need to be determined to do the right thing and not break down in front of the family or the child while treating him. If you are not sure whether you are made for this career but keep swaying about this decision, you should probably have a look at the Journal of pediatric nursing. This comprehensive journal lists out various researches and the latest technologies that are being used to benefit children. It also has articles and theories about the practices that other pe

Cervical cancer is one of the leading cancers in women and it is said to be preventable if it is detected early. Girls of the age 11 and 12 can be given a vaccine and a pap smear test schedule for the prevention of cancer. Women, at the age of 21, or within three years of the starting sexual activity, should start taking the Pap smear test and it should be repeated every two till the age of 30 and every 3 years thereafter. Early detection of cancer can lead to its surgical removal and it is usually the most preferred way of treatment but not every woman has to undergo it. The different stages for the cervical cancer surgery are - Laser surgery, conization, cryosurgery, simple hysterectomy, radical hysterectomy and radical trachelectomy. The first alternative is loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) which includes the usage of high frequency electrical current to cut and remove the diseased tissue. This procedure is done by administering local anesthetic to numb the cervix and

Typhoid fever is treated with antibiotics that kill the Salmonella bacteria. Prior to the use of antibiotics, the fatality rate was 20%. Death occurred from overwhelming infection, pneumonia, intestinal bleeding, or intestinal perforation. With antibiotics and supportive care, mortality has been reduced to 1%-2%. With appropriate antibiotic therapy, there is usually improvement within one to two days and recovery within seven to 10 days. Several antibiotics are effective for the treatment of typhoid fever. Chloramphenicol was the original drug of choice for many years. Because of rare serious side effects, chloramphenicol has been replaced by other effective antibiotics. The choice of antibiotics needs to be guided by identifying the geographic region where the organism was acquired and the results of cultures once available. (Certain strains from South America show a significant resistance to some antibiotics.) Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) is the most frequently used drug in the U.S. for non

Intussusception (Also Called 'Bowel Obstruction') Intussusception is when one segment of intestine "telescopes" inside of another causing an intestinal obstruction. Although it can occur anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract, it usually occurs at the junction of the small and large intestine. The obstruction can cause swelling & inflammation that can lead to tearing of the intestines. Intussusception’s cause is unknown, but is usually preceded by a virus that produces swelling of the lining of the intestine, which then prolapses into the downstream intestine. In some children, it is caused by a congenital anomaly of the intestine such as a polyp or diverticulum. What are the symptoms of intussusception? The characteristic signs and symptoms of intussusception are episodic, severe, crampy abdominal pain alternating with periods of lethargy. Small children may draw their knees up to their chest. Other possible symptoms of intussusception include: Nausea and vomitin