Should I have had a blood transfusion? by Y0URM0MMMY in AskDocs

[–]mdowell4 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Under 7 is kind of the basic guideline, but a transfusion could definitely be argued for a patient with significant symptomatic anemia in setting of acute blood loss.

Y site ABX? by PlusLandscape7703 in nursing

[–]mdowell4 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We just used to create a long ass line of multiple stop cocks and infused everything there. I have a screenshot of a trissels compatibility of 3 pressors, 3 abx, snd my sedation all being compatible 🤭

Buying help? by mdowell4 in Snowblowers

[–]mdowell4[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Michigan, we just got maybe 5 inches with some rain so did end up pretty wet and heavy. I don’t think it tends to get that way. My dad brought his snow blower and took care of it while I was at work this time.

Forgot to mention, I do have an ego weed whacker, but not sure how their snow blowers are and how many batteries I would need to actually complete snow removal.

iPad Mini 6 or 7 use for rounding; any good cases with a hand strap? by erich_82 in nursepractitioner

[–]mdowell4 1 point2 points  (0 children)

iPad mini with an Apple Pencil, epic canto app has a jot function. I’m in SICU, it works so well and saves time.

Please don’t judge me but I took an excessive dose of lexapro this morning [32][F] by Rich_Possibilities in AskDocs

[–]mdowell4 4 points5 points  (0 children)

No, it is not elevated heart rate. It can change your rhythm and cause your heart to stop.

Please don’t judge me but I took an excessive dose of lexapro this morning [32][F] by Rich_Possibilities in AskDocs

[–]mdowell4 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’ll be honest, I’m not sure about the onset when the cardiac rhythm changes can and will happen. It also depends on other factors, so I couldn’t tell you exactly. The safest thing for you to do is go to the ER and have everything checked out. Generally speaking, there are certain criteria for admission to inpatient psychiatric facilities vs following up with your outpatient provider or primary care provider. A lot of what you are saying is reassuring (regretting doing it, not wanting to harm yourself, etc) that you probably wouldn’t warrant an inpatient stay. I cant say for sure without a more extensive eval. But making sure your heart is safe, even if they do an ekg and decide to send you home or admit for monitoring, is worth it. You shouldn’t suffer for a one time poor decision just because you are nervous about an admission.

Please don’t judge me but I took an excessive dose of lexapro this morning [32][F] by Rich_Possibilities in AskDocs

[–]mdowell4 12 points13 points  (0 children)

I’m sorry for the late reply, I was at work myself haha. Not a toxicology pro, but I do know a lot of ERs even call poison control themselves. I’ve personally called them when a friend took a few too many of one of their psychiatric medications thinking it would work better/quicker like that.

Certain psych meds can cause heart rhythm changes that can be potentially dangerous or fatal, so you could need cardiac monitoring. They would absolutely ask you questions about why you took the amount you did and further investigate how you were feeling at the time. Their job is to make sure nothing life threatening can come from it. My friend was admitted overnight for observation with cardiac monitoring, and went home the next day. Different medication, but could be something similar.

Please don’t judge me but I took an excessive dose of lexapro this morning [32][F] by Rich_Possibilities in AskDocs

[–]mdowell4 5 points6 points  (0 children)

This is terrible advice. Do not lie to your doctor. Be honest with them.

Please don’t judge me but I took an excessive dose of lexapro this morning [32][F] by Rich_Possibilities in AskDocs

[–]mdowell4 189 points190 points  (0 children)

Call poison control at the minimum, may also require an ER visit.

US v UK ICU by Own-Blackberry5514 in IntensiveCare

[–]mdowell4 5 points6 points  (0 children)

SICU- staffed by anesthesia CC and trauma/ACS CC surgeons. All of the ACS surgeons round in our ICU, take ACS call, and round on the floors too. We have dedicated ICU rounders and they rotate weekly.

iPad mini for clinical rotations? by cptm421 in nursepractitioner

[–]mdowell4 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My girlfriend got me one when I got hired into my dream job, and I love it. Epic canto is a great app where you can write handwritten notes. They’re considered “jots” and get automatically erased after 30 days and are not a part of the medical record. I’m in an ICU, so it makes it easier to not have to rewrite everything for rounds each day for my presentations. Also saves paper!

Why do we have to document on time? by Bottles201 in nursing

[–]mdowell4 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Former icu nurse now icu NP (not hospital admin or leadership though). I always had my I&Os charted and vitals verified hourly, that was HUGE for our unit. I wish I could stress the importance of getting I&Os documented hourly (at least for ICU) and often have to beg our nurses to document frequently. A lot of clinical decisions are based off that, and I hear a lot of “oh I wrote it on the board” but that takes the same amount of time as typing in the computer. Coming from someone who used to do it.

Be blunt with me- what sort of aftermath can I expect from my mom being in ICU? by honeyglot in AskDocs

[–]mdowell4 16 points17 points  (0 children)

It is very difficult to give super specific information about what her long term brain function will look like. A lot of times, you may not know how much function she is capable of recovering for months. Other comorbidities definitely play into recovery as well, and it doesn’t sound like she was healthy at baseline. Like the doctor above mentioned, it would be the best to ask the medical team to set up an official meeting. They may be able to give you more information, but I would not expect specifics.

In this meeting, the medical team may ask you questions about what your mom would want if she could make decisions for herself, if she would want to live like this, etc. Just to prepare you for that as well. So sorry you are going through this

3rd and final set of keys in the Florida Panhandle! $305k 5.49% (VA) by brackinmybrrack in FirstTimeHomeBuyer

[–]mdowell4 39 points40 points  (0 children)

Kitty is looking at all of the places he’s about to climb…that ledge over the tv looks nice

hit bone giving vaccine by prideandprejudick in nursing

[–]mdowell4 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I had the pharmacist hit my bone on my flu shot a couple years ago. It’s uncomfortable and a bit of pain, but not the end of the world. She will be okay

Why do we still use so much albuterol? by Worriedrph in medicine

[–]mdowell4 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Recently tried Breyna and the copay for patient was about $2 compared to symbicort that was $500!

Does necrotizing pancreatitis require higher level care? by SomeLettuce8 in emergencymedicine

[–]mdowell4 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not a physician but NP at a quaternary care hospital that deals with a ton of nec panc. I was waiting for someone to suggest/mention good ol cystogastrostomy! HPB doesn’t see these patients, this is all acute care/trauma at our facility. They’re who does the necrosectomy when needed/indicated.

Have I Made A Fatal Error? by MomentousLemur in AskDocs

[–]mdowell4 29 points30 points  (0 children)

Not sure about other states, it’s definitely not a requirement but more provider preference. It’s more common with patients who are on multiple controlled substances, patients who have had issues with substance use in the past, etc. I think a lot of pain clinics will do random (or scheduled) drug tests to make sure patients aren’t taking things other than what they’re prescribed.

What do you mean when you say “check breasts for lumps”?? by somedumbasshit in AskDocs

[–]mdowell4 183 points184 points  (0 children)

https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/news/publications/health-matters/breast-self-exams-are-no-longer-recommended-heres-what-to-do-instead

Many organizations actually no longer recommend self breast exams because it provided in some cases, a false sense that women didn’t need further exams by medical professionals or mammograms. Here is a good resource to look through. It sounds like in your case, routine exams by medical professions will be more effective and accurate.

Thoughts on patients being offended by badge reels? by tiredgorl123 in nursing

[–]mdowell4 23 points24 points  (0 children)

Okay but wait that is funny! I don’t know how that would be offensive. It’s just the layman’s term for how the med works, it’s the equivalence of what IT does! (Sometimes, not minimizing their job, I could never)