Nurse Directory

A. Bone marrow suppression leads to:

1. Decreased WBC count (immunosuppression).

• Avoid crowds; people with infections and small children when WBC count is low
• Consume a low-bacteria diet. Avoid overcooked meat and raw fruits and vegetables

2. Decreased platelet count (thrombocytopenia)

• When shaving use ellectirc razon only
• Avoid contact sports and other activities that may cause trauma
• If trauma does occur, apply ice to the area and seek medical assistance
• Avoid dental work or other invasive procedures
• Avoid aspirin and aspirtin-containing products

(more…)

Ménière’s Disease is a chronic inner ear disease caused by an increase in endolymphatic pressure

Cause: Unknown
Assessment: Tinnitus, unilateral hearing loss and vertigo are charateristic symptoms

Planning & Implementation:

• Nursing Management

a. Therapy is symptomatic and supportive
b. Bed rest

(more…)

Trigeminal Neuralgia (Tic Douloureaux) is a condition of the 5th cranial nerve by brief, recurring attacks of agonizing pain along the distribution of one or more divisions of the nerve — ophthalmic, maxillary and mandibular

Etiology: unknown

Signs & Symptoms: attacks precipitated by pressure on a trigger point (shaving, talking, washing, and cold wind may precipitate an agonizing attack)
(more…)

Schistosomiasis affects mostly farmers and their families in the rural area. Endemic in 10 regions, 24 provinces, 183 municipalities and 1,212 barangays. High prevalence in Region 5 (Bicol), Region 8 (Samar and Leyte) and Region 11 (Davao).

AKA: bilhariasis; snail fever

Causative agent: Schistosoma mansoni; S. haematobium. S. Japonicum (blood fluke), endemic in the Philippines, is transmitted by a tiny snail Oncomelania quadrasi.

(more…)

Cerebrovascular Diseases is a disease of blood vessels in the brain. This includes the following:

• Cerebral Aretriosclerosis – is a chronic degenerative process characterized by the gradual development of athoroma (faty plaque) in the blood vessels

(more…)

ANOREXIA NERVOSA is a potentially life-threatening disorder characterized by extreme weight loss, intense fear of gaining weight, body image disturbances, strenous exercising and peculiar food-handling patterns. It can result in mortality rates of between 6-21%, 95% are females between 12 and mid-30’s. Usually, the onset of this eating disorder is associated with a stressful life events

Nursing Care

• Promote improved nutrition
• Administer tube or IV feedings
• Weigh the client daily, record 1 and 0, and observe him/her during meals and bathroom activities (more…)

Central Nervous System (CNS) Tumors
a.  Intracranial Tumors - are potentially fatal; skull is rigid and has little room for content expansion; untreated brains tumors cause death by:

- Local destruction and brain tissue compression
- Progressively increasing ICP, causing herniation and death (more…)

Cerebrovascular Diseases (CVA) are disease of blood vessels in the brain. This includes Cerebral Arteriosclerosis, Cerebral Aneurysm, Cerebral Hemorrhage and Cerebral Embolism

a. Emergency care consists of turning the patient carefully on his side (determine by the puffiness of the check on his side) and elevating the head without tilting the neck forward; clothing should be kep, room shyould be kep quiet, and client should be moved as little as possible and protected from chilling. (more…)

Chemotherapy involves the administration of cytotoxic medications and chemicals to promote death of tumor cells.  The intravenous route is the most preferred method for administering chemotherapeutic agents, but they many also be administered by oral, intrathecal, topical, intra-arterial, intracavity, and intravesical routes.

• Chemotherapy and radiation therapy may cause hair loss.  The hair loss is temporary, hair will grow back, usually beginning about a month after completion of the chemotherapy.  The client should know that the texture and color of the new hair growth may be different.  Hair loss during radiation to the head may be permanent. (more…)

Pre-Op – Patient must realize that the vision lost cannot be restored but that further loss can usually be prevented.  Administration of miotics is done at this point.

Post-Op

• Position – flat and quite for 24 hours to prevent porlapse of the iris through the incision

• Use of Narcotics or sedatives to keep patient quite and comfortable (more…)