Respiratory

Since We Draw ABG’s From an Artery…

We Must Hold the Site for Five Full Minutes

If the Patient is on Blood Thinners, Add 15 minutes Hold for 20 minutes!

Since Heparin Works the Fastest, it is Often Ordered First

However, it is Common to Start the Patient on Coumadin (warfarin) at the Same Time.

This is Done Because Warfarin takes three to four days to achieve therapeutic anticoagulant effect. Therefore, heparin is continued until the Warfarin can take over.

Your Patient Asks, “Why Are You Giving Me Rat Poison?”

You Could Respond With… A better question, is why are we giving perfectly good human medication to lowly little rats?

Rodents are difficult to kill with poisons because they will eat a small bit of something and wait, and if they don't get sick, they continue. An effective rodenticide must be tasteless and odorless in lethal concentrations, and have a delayed effect.

The main benefit of anticoagulants over other poisons is that the time taken for the poison to induce death means that the rats do not associate the damage with their feeding habits.

Back to Patients….

If a Cannula Comes Out of a NEW Trach (72 hours or less) The site has not matured yetThe site has not matured yet This is a medical emergencyThis is a medical emergency Call for helpCall for help Replacement may be difficultReplacement may be difficult

The First Medication Often Given in an Asthma Attack is Albuterol (Proventil) via inhaler or nebulizer treatment. These are in the drug class called Beta Agonists.

Beta Agonists Beta-agonists are medications that mainly affect the muscles around the airways (bronchi and bronchioles). Such as: ProventilXopenex VentolinBrethine IsuprelAlupent

In Respiratory Difficulty, Many Feel That Morphine is a Good Medication Because: Morphine dilates veins and decreases blood returning to the heart and lungs.

With Good Hydration…Children With Sickle Cell Anemia are Often Healthy Much of the Time.

When a Patient is Recovering From a Thrombophlebitis in the Calf of Their Leg, it is Not Unusual to Measure the Diameter of Their Calves Every Day.

Although A Venous Doppler May be Used Instead.

Comparisons Are Made Between Their Right and Left Calf

The Primary Function of the Tonsils is to Filter and Protect Against Invading Pathogens. Tonsils

In the Post Tonsilectomy Diet, Red Liquid and Milk are Initially Avoided.

Things to Remember About Children With Cystic Fibrosis * Clubbing of fingers but not barrel-chested * Congested but not generally wheezing * Thick sticky mucous that blocks pancreatic enzyme * Immune compromised child… should receive all vacines. * Immune compromised child… should receive all vacines. * Benefit from postural drainage

The Faces of Cystic Fibrosis

Drug of Choice for Bee Sting Allergic Reaction: Epinephrine which helps with swelling AND dilates the bronchial tubes. Two actions in one medication.

Common Tuberculosis Meds * Ethambutol * Ethambutol * INH * INH * Rifampin * Rifampin

When TB Patients Do Not Respond to Meds in Six Weeks… They can expect to stay on meds for six months to one year.

When Do We Check PPD Intradermal Skin Test? In 48 to 72 hours In 48 to 72 hours

Positive Ppd

Negative Ppd