This column provides you with practical tips to help you brush up on your clinical skills. Past columns have covered such topics as epicardial wires, obtaining blood cultures, and drawing blood for ABGs.
April 1, 2009
By:Brenda J. Kramer, RN, MSN, CCRN, CNRN
Article resumes RN's Hands-on Help instructional series with guide to interpreting arterial blood gas test results. Lists common interpretation of respiratory and metabolic acid/base imbalances, roles and mechanisms of buffer systems in maintaining pH, and provides five questions for nurses to ask while analyzing test results to form a correct interpretation.
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January 1, 2007
By:Terri J. Metules, RN, BSN
Cold and heat are simple therapies that can effectively reduce pain, inflammation, and muscle spasms. To take advantage of them, you need to know how each works and how best to apply them.
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October 1, 2006
By:Sally Beattie, RN, MS, CNS, GNP
Once a patient is pronounced dead, your job is to prepare the body for the family to view, and then for transport to the morgue. Knowing what to do can make this difficult task just a little easier for you and the patient's family.
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August 1, 2006
By:Barbara Acello, RN, MS
Compression stockings may be low tech, but they're not low risk. This review will help you safeguard your patients.
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June 1, 2006
By:Sally Beattie, RN, MS, CNS, GNP
Inserting a nasogastric tube is a common nursing function in many hospitals. This handy step-by-step guide will help you perform this procedure safely and confidently.
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April 1, 2006
By:Sally Beattie, RN, MS, CNS, GNP
The ability to draw an arterial blood gas sample safely and
accurately is essential? even when you're under the gun.
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February 1, 2006
By:Sally Beattie, RN, MS, CNS, GNP
Contaminated samples account for nearly half of all positive blood
cultures. Accurate results require your rigorous adherence to
proper technique.
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December 1, 2005
By:Sally Beattie, RN, MS, CNS, GNP
Careful handling of epicardial pacing wires is paramount to your
patient's safety. Here are the steps you'll need to take.
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