Archive for March, 2009

Cardiac enzymes

Tuesday, March 31st, 2009

It is a must for nurses to know about cardiac enzymes. There are a lot of MI cases. Having this knowledge will help the patient and prevent further complication of the case. With MI there are certain cardiac enzymes that will rise and it will indicate the diagnosis of the problem.

Increased CK-MB – indicates cardiac damage after 4-8 hours post infarcts.
Increased CK-MM – indicates muscular damage.
LDH – increase 3-6 days post MI
SGOT – increase 24-48 hours post MI
Troponin – is one enzymes that arises almost immediately. It is the most specific enzymes. If patient has chest pain 30minutes ago and went to the ER, we can see Troponin rises and it continue to rise. It gives us a good indication that probably a cardiac related incident.

Adrenaline came rushing

Sunday, March 29th, 2009

Today I worked Day shift 6am-2pm. I set my alarm clock at 5:30 am. My alarm went off but I think I was still half awake and turned it off without my awareness. I was dreaming that I am already prepared for my shift. Then finally I suddenly wake up and when I looked at the clock, it was already 5:56am. All my adrenaline came rushing. I jumped off the bed and was fully awake in just a moment. I was kind of confused as to what do I need to do first. Finally I figured it out. Of course, I was not able to have a full shower as I used to before my every shift. Fortunately, I arrived in the birth room 2 minutes before endorsement time. It is good that I am just staying in the clinic where I work.

The journey to well-being starts with simple steps

Tuesday, March 24th, 2009

In my field of work, I usually get tired almost after every shift. Delivering babies is not easy. It takes all your energy especially when births have complications. I always remember, I don’t have to take fatigue lying down. There are many ways I can fight back: Eat a balanced diet. Get enough sleep as possible. Exercise regularly by walking or jogging each day. Have a positive attitude. And take multivitamins daily. It won’t just get me back on my feet. It made me feel like the world is at my feet.

My experience as a patient

Saturday, March 21st, 2009

I was so grateful that the hospital’s nurses and doctor were so nice with me. I was asked what is wrong with me. I told the nurse that I am having a severe pain in my left flank area and that I have a scanty urination. I was requested to have a urinalysis. So I did pee a little just enough for the U/A. while waiting, the pain still making me vomit. I vomited twice at the hospital. I ask the doctor to gave me a pain reliever because I cannot handle the pain anymore.

The doctor told the nurse to give a diclofenac – a pain reliever IM. But I informed the doctor that I am allergic to it. She asked me if I tried Ketorolac – another kind of pain reliever. I haven’t tried that one yet so I do not know if I am allergic to it. So I was injected in my right deltoid muscle. It was painful. Now I felt what my patients feel when I inject them. After about 15 minutes I felt medication took effect already. I was so glad. But my eyes started to be itchy. I thought I was just imagining it but after 5 minutes, my eyes started to swell. I immediately inform the nurse about it and the nurse informed the doctor. When the doctor saw my swollen eyes, she was so surprised. She then realized that I was not kidding when I told them about my allergy. It seems that they took my history lightly. She prescribed me with antihistamine caplet. While my mom went out and buy those, my eyes swollen to the max like a Garfield in front of the doctor. She immediately ordered antihistamine IM. So I was injected with Diphenhydramine. My mom can’t buy ice anywhere so the doctor tried to find an ice for me. She is so sweet and nice of her for finding an ice for me.

The doctor wanted me to be admitted for at least 24 hours just to observe as to what extent my allergies go. But I felt good with no chest pains and the pain in my left side was very minimal. I decided to just go home and just be back anytime if there will be a problem. I signed that I went home against medical advice. It was not that I am a hard-headed person but I felt so great and there is no point of staying in the hospital. I was confident to go home because I was already injected with antihistamine. So we went home. I still had cold compress on my eyes until I slept.

KUB ultrasound result

Sunday, March 15th, 2009

Today, my mom went with me to the hospital for my KUB ultrasound (kidney, ureters, urinary bladder). Though I do not have severe pain anymore in my left side, I just want to have a check with my kidneys. I want to know if I have 2 because my mom only one kidney is functioning. Her other kidney is very small according to the doctor it is inborn. I am glad every thing was normal. Thank you Lord. I was so relieved.
This is my result : Left Kidney measures 8.8 x 4.8 x 1.4 cm, Right kidney measures 8.7 x 4.1 x 1.6cm. there is no significant disparity in the sizes, shapes and locations of both kidneys. No evident mass, calculus nor any abnormality in the scans obtained. Both ureters were not visualized (not significantly dilated). There is a good filling of the urinary bladder, showing regular contours and smooth walls with no intraluminal echoes.
IMPRESSION : Normal study

Embarassing moment

Friday, March 6th, 2009

There was a very embarrassing moment happened to me after our hospital orientation that only God and I knew about it. It was my little secret but not now. I want to share it with you cause I think it is kind of funny now since it is already a history but during the actual time it was not. Well, I was not aware that the right strap of bra was slid into my right arm. I was riding a motorcycle when I noticed it. I tried to fix it but I can’t. I was planning to go to the mall to buy something but of course I changed my plan to going home straight from the hospital. I laughed hard when I reached home. Actually I wonder how many people noticed it. It was very obvious since I was wearing a nursing type C uniform.