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Daily Archives: September 3, 2020

How to Spot a Possible Ear Infection in a Child

An otoscope is a medical tool used to visualize the inner ear structures such as the ear canal and tympanic membrane. This allows providers to rule out infection and other conditions. How do you know if the patient is at risk or showing signs and symptoms of an ear infection (Acute Otitis Media) Easy-by asking the appropriate questions during your triage. ๐„๐ฑ๐ฉ๐ž๐œ๐ญ๐ž๐ ๐Ÿ๐ข๐ง๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฌ:โœจUsually follows a bacterial or viral respiratory infection…

Medication Monday: Meet Dexamethasone

Happy ๐Œ๐ž๐๐ข๐œ๐š๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐Œ๐จ๐ง๐๐š๐ฒ friends! ๐Ÿ’‰๐Ÿ’Š Meet ๐ƒ๐ž๐ฑ๐š๐ฆ๐ž๐ญ๐ก๐š๐ฌ๐จ๐ง๐ž! A corticosteroid, also referred to as Decadron, that serves as an anti-inflammatory agent for certain conditions. Letโ€™s go over it.  ๐–๐ก๐ž๐ง ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ž๐?โœจCroupโœจAsthmaโœจAnaphylaxisโœจCerebral edema๐Ÿ”ŽMany of you have probably heard about it being used for Covid patientโ€™s as well.  Among other conditions, dexamethasone is commonly given to children with croup in an outpatient or ER setting. It works to reduce inflammation…

How to Master a Musculoskeletal Assessment using ‘The 5 P’s’

Today weโ€™re talkinโ€™ muscles and skeleton๐Ÿฆฟ.If you havenโ€™t dealt much with the musculoskeletal system no need to fret. Below I am sharing the most important categories to touch on in order to ensure a successful and AMAZING musculoskeletal assessment. ๐“๐ก๐ž ๐Ÿ“ ๐โ€™๐ฌ ๐จ๐Ÿ ๐Œ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐œ๐ฎ๐ฅ๐จ๐ฌ๐ค๐ž๐ฅ๐ž๐ญ๐š๐ฅ ๐ˆ๐ง๐ฃ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ฒ:โ€ข๐๐š๐ข๐งโž use an appropriate pain scale to assess the childโ€™s pain. If they have pain assess the location, severity and quality. When assessing for pain you actually have…

Medication Monday: You gave Diastat. Now what?

Hello friends and welcome to โ€œ๐Œ๐ž๐๐ข๐œ๐š๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐Œ๐จ๐ง๐๐š๐ฒ!โ€ Decided to try something new and dedicate a day strictly to all things meds! Not only does this helps you guys review but it helps you learn more about medications you havenโ€™t seen in a while. Today we are talking ๐ƒ๐ˆ๐€๐’๐“๐€๐“!๐Ÿ’ก ๐‘ท๐’๐’‘ ๐’’๐’–๐’Š๐’›โžwhat is Diastat and what is it used for? ๐Ÿ’กIf you said it can be used for seizures then you are correct! Diastat is…

How to assess your patient who is getting Albuterol

Albuterol, a short-acting bronchodilator, does just what the name suggests. It helps relax & dilate (open up) your bronchioles in the lungs & allows for air to move freely. Because of itโ€™s short-acting effect it is considered a rescue medication.  ๐Ÿฉบ ๐–๐ก๐ž๐ง ๐๐จ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ž ๐š๐ฅ๐›๐ฎ๐ญ๐ž๐ซ๐จ๐ฅ?Albuterol is used when a patient is experiencing bronchospasm that is manifested through shortness of breath, chest tightness, difficulty breathing or wheezing. Asthma (most common in…

The 4 Best Tips for Pediatric Injections

S๐ก๐จ๐ญ๐ฌ. ๐Ÿ’‰ The dreadful word nurses and parents try not to say to our little ones. As a nurse, getting ready to give a shot consists of being prepared prior to entering the room, gathering rewards, and bringing in some backup! Am I right!? (never trust a 5 year old who says he wonโ€™t move ๐Ÿคจ๐Ÿ˜‚) But it doesnโ€™t have to be such an awful experience!  Iโ€™ve gathered…