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!!!

Carotid Endarterectomy

National Kidney Foundation: A to Z Health Guide Item

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

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

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

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

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

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

I need to get in contact with them ASAP.

Thanks! -Lisa

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

Fat Wallet Syndrome

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.

N4Students Please Tell me....

Which week did you start clinicals?
When do you preform the physical assessment that is graded?
And please tell me about the second week of N4 (last week).

Thanks thanks!!
-Lisa

Please come to the first ever nursing PDA party!
Wednesday, 1600 - 1700ish in Locke 314!
I know this is last minute, but please get the word out. If you have a PDA or are thinking of getting one, this is the meeting for you. PDAs are new to us all. These are the medical items of the future. Hospitals are being rewired to accomodate their use. Some of us have had a couple of semesters head start in learning some of the ropes. I am figuring out new stuff almost every day, so come on and share what you have learned with the rest of us. If you are wondering about which one to get or which programs to put into it, this is the meeting for you.
These are fantastic devices that will help keep you organized with your information at hand.
Bring your questions, your knowledge, your programs, your laptop or anything else that you can think of.
This will be an informal show and share session. Hopefully we will be able to have more of these in the future. Please give your input on how we can make these sessions better. Get the word out to your instructors. Many of them are starting to use handhelds too.
If there is a lot of interest, we will have more of these sessions.

PDA party!!!!!
Tomorrow locke 314 @4:30pm.
Bring your PDA and all your questions regarding your PDA.
One great way to get your questions answered.

Hey there y'all.....Feb 15th is family night for the first semester students. Please come to volunteer if you can at 6:30 p.m., Mary Neville needs students to help with cookies, the skills lab etc.

Come on guys...we are all tired BUT...... :)

Thanks!

Christine

Good Luck N4s on your first test!

I have been called in to work on Monday and so will not be able to make any of the study groups or SNA meeting that day. Sorry! If anyone wants to reschedule, for another time let me know.