Friday, February 24, 2006

I thought I would make everyone laugh today.... On the way to clinicals yesterday am at 515 in the morning, I am following one of those state vans, with all the advertisements on it about "adopt a highway" and "let's keep Californias highways clean" etc.... So..at the stop light I am sitting there behind this "CLEAN CALIFORNIA" billboard and out of the window of the passenger side of the truck flies a whole ashtray full of cigarettes and a cup!!!! Can you believe it?!! I thought it was hilarious, even though it was so WRONG...haha I thought you all would find that ironic too.....Hope everyone is doing good...by the way in about 6 months I would like to put together a graduation planning team...let me know if you are interested!!!

Wednesday, February 15, 2006

ATTENTION ALL N5 STUDENTS......

Hi guys..we miss you over here in 4..hope all is going well. I would like to tell you all about a video that is avail in the skills lab for the neuro assesment...it is an absolute PERFECT video to watch BEFORE you do your assesment...hint hint BEFORE you do it...watch it...some of us were unaware that it existed and watched it after the fact soooo....just passing along the info.

K byeeee

;) Christine

Tuesday, February 14, 2006

For those of you who did not get a study session on Neurology here are some key points that may help you study for the test.

I. There are two types of strokes or Cerebro Vascular Accident (CVA) pg. 1528 in Medical Surgical Nursing Book Table 56-2
1. Ischemic- more men than women-onset during or after sleep
2. Hemorrhagic-more women than men-onset during activity

The causes: Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), atrial fibrillation, HTN, etc.
The main nursing diagnosis for a stroke: Ineffective tissue perfusion (cerebral) pg. 1537
Nursing assessment table 56-7 pg 1536

II. On page 1531 is a Fig. 56.6 which is manifestations of right-brain and left-brain stroke. Read this. Table 56.4 has the diagnostic studies for a stroke pg. 1532 & pg. 1533 has a table for Stroke care.

III. Make sure you read the tables in Chapter 56. If there is something you don't quite understand then read the subject matter.

IV. pg. 1550 Table 57-1 is on the different Types of headaches READ this as well as the Nursing assessment table on pg. 1553.

V. pg. 1556 Table 57-6 Classification of seizure disorders. Pg. 1558 management of tonic-clonic seizures.

VI. Know the difference between Multiple Sclerosis (MS) which is characterized by chronic inflmmation, demyelination, and gliosis (scarring) in the CNS, Parkinson's Disease which is a slowing down in the initiation and execution of movement (bradykinesia), increased muscle tone (rigidity), tremor at rest, and impaired postural reflexes, Myasthenia Gravis which is an autoimmune disease of the neuromuscular junction characterized by the fluctuating weakness of certain skeletal muscle groups. The primary weakness is seen in the face (eyes, eyelids, chewing, swallowing, speaking, and breathing) and chest. ALS, Huntington's disease

VII. pg. 1582 Table 58-2 has information on Delirium, dementia, and depression. Know the clinical manifestations of dementia which are on pg. 1585 Table 58-4.

There will also be a Neurologic Signs & Symptoms video available to anyone who wants to watch it in the office. If there was a subject that your instructor focused on during lecture, study it.

I hope this helps. Good luck everyone!

Fernisa Sison
Instructor
For all those N4 students who still want study sessions here is the rest of the dates and subjects to be covered:

Feb. 28, 2006 Locke 421 Genitourinary 11:30-12:30
March 7, 2006 Locke 421 Endocrine 11:30-12:30
March 14, 2006 locke 421 Musculoskeletal 11:30-12:30

I am available Mondays 8:00am - 10:00am & 1:00 - 3:00pm
Tuesdays 8:00am-11:00am & 12:45- 3:00pm
Thursdays 8:00am-11:00am

Also by appointment. Locke 421 has been secured for these dates and times.
Please feel free to call (209) 954-5492 Office Locke 214
Fernisa Sison

Friday, February 10, 2006

Hey there guys...does anyone like to write? I know you may love to write, but finding time is about...uh...not happening huh? If you are interested, check out the below attached from the editor in chief of MODRN nurse magazine....good luck! Email me if you need her web address :) Did you like the February issue with your That's Life; Cancer Unit experience? March has Why you wanted to be a nurse and the Ultrasound experience. and April will have another experience from you. But I need stories from other students or new nurses about why they became a nurse or first experiences. I hope you have some friends that can send me their stories, and I need one now. as I am working on the April and May issue. I really appreciate your sharing your thoughts and experiences with others. Thank You, Barbara Brown, Editor-in-Chief, MODRN Nurse

Thursday, February 09, 2006

NEURO - CNS - PNS - HEAD INJURY AND SURGERY
Here are some neuro practice test links for you.
Stimulating Coma Test
Nervous System Assessment Test
Test-Brain Problems
CNS trouble Test
Neuro Test
PNS Test
Seizure Test
Alzheimers and Dementia Quiz
Chronic Neuro Problems Quiz
Stroke test
ICP Neuro quiz
Another Neuro test
ICP and Head Injuries test
ICP and Cerebral Bleeding test
Brain Attack test
Cranial Conundrum test
N4 Neuro study session on Feb 13 at 10:30 will be in L228. The quarters will be tight and if they need the room we will have to find another location. It is the best I could do. Caralee

Monday, February 06, 2006

Welcome back everyone! My office hours are :

Monday - 8:00am-10:00am
Tuesday - 8:00am-11:00am
Thursday - 8:00am-11:00am

If you need help with something come by my office in Locke 214 or call 954-5492
Every Tuesday (except February 14th) I am in Locke 421 from 11:30-12:30 for review/question answer/study sessions. Everyone is welcome.

If you are having a problem with Dimensional analysis give me a call and make an appointment with me. My door is always open to students.

Fernisa Sison
Instructor
(209) 954-5492
Locke 214
Hi future nurses...

The clinical companion to Lewis has come out with a PDA version. It has the quick access to over 200 commonly encountered medical- surgical disorders, treatments and procedures. It covers the patho, clinical manifestations, complications, diagnostic studies, collaborative care, Nursing management and goals, nursing diagnoses, interventions, and patient teaching. Lots of stuff for the price. A quick study for the fast pace of clinical.

The Mosby Elsevier ISBN is 032031994. It is only 39.95.

The book ISBN is 0323018963 and is 34.95

This is a great way to be ready for your instructors questions about your patients. Being prepared is the key. Remember they what to know what is your plan for your patients.

I hope all is going well. I miss you all. If any one needs assistance, the door is always open. My number is 954-5493 Locke 222. Drop by and chat.

Lots of luck Caralee

Sunday, February 05, 2006

Anyone know how to get in contact with Mrs. Prieto?
Or Mrs. Aragon?

I need to get in contact with them ASAP.

Thanks! -Lisa

Thursday, February 02, 2006

Check out the new FDA approved fast acting insulin, Exubera.
http://diabetes.about.com/od/insulinpills/a/Exubera.htm

Fat Wallet Syndrome

Has anyone ever heard of this? This is what my husband was just Dx with, and no .......it does not mean he has a lot of money. He has been having pain and numbness in his left leg and has been getting phys, therapy for quite awhile. Well, they just figured out that his wallet is the culprit. He has been carrying it in his left back pocket his whole adult life. Years of sitting on a wallet and compressing his sciatic nerve, has caused him to have numbness and pain to the point of limping. This is a new one for me. Needless to say, he has changed pockets.