Nursing Blog

Diarrhea Diarrhea is increased frequency of bowel movements (more than three per day), increased amount of stool (more than 200 g per day), and altered consistency (ie, looseness) of stool. It is usually associated with urgency, perianal discomfort, incontinence, or a combination of these factors. Any condition that causes increased intestinal secretions, decreased mucosal absorption, or altered motility can produce diarrhea. Diarrhea can be caused by certain medications (eg, thyroid hormone replacement, stool softeners and laxatives, antibiotics, chemotherapy, antacids), certain tube feeding formulas, metabolic and endocrine disorders (eg, diabetes, Addison’s disease, thyrotoxicosis), and viral or bacterial infectious processes (eg, dysentery, shigellosis, food poisoning). Other disease processes associated with diarrhea are nutritional and malabsorptive disorders (eg, celiac disease), anal sphincter defect, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, paralytic ileus, intestinal obstruction, and acqu...

Complications of Myocardial Infarction The complications of a myocardial infarction are as follows : Arrhythmias – These usually occur within the first 48 hours following an infarct and may be life-threatening. They are due to myocardial irritability caused by lack of oxygen (ischaemia), release of potassium and calcium from dead cells and disturbances to the conductive mechanism of the heart. This is particularly true when the area around the sinoatrial or atrioventricular nodes is affected. Myocardial irritability is identified by the number of ventricular ectopics seen. There is a danger that an ectopic may fall on the T wave (r on T) and ventricular fibrillation ensues. Heart failure – Backpressure from the ventricle affected onto the atrium on the same side exists due to the ventricle being unable to expel the blood in it effectively. This will cause backpressure on either the pulmonary circulation (causing pulmonary oedema) or the systemic circulation (peripheral in organ o...

Complications of COPD Hipoxemia Hipoxemia defined as a decrease in PaO2 values ​​less than 55 mmHg, with oxygen saturation values ​​<85%. At first the client will experience changes in mood, decreased concentration and forgetfulness. At the advanced stage resulting cyanosis. Respiratory Acidosis Arise as a result of the increased value of PaCO2 (hypercapnia). Signs that arise include: headache, fatigue, lethargi, dizzines, tachipnea. Respiratory Infections Acute respiratory infections are caused by increased production of mucus, increased bronchial smooth muscle stimulation and mucosal edema. Lack of air flow will increase the incidence of breath and dyspnea. Heart Failure Especially right heart failure due to lung disease, should be observed particularly in clients with severe dyspnea. This complication often associated with chronic bronchitis, but clients with severe emphysema can also experience this problem. Cardiac Dysrhythmias Arise as a result of hipoxemia, other heart diseas...