Taking blood safely and getting accurate results: patient identification, vein selection, tourniquet time, the order of draw for blood tubes, avoiding haemolysis, and labelling at the bedside.
Anxiety is common in hospital and the community. Recognising a panic attack, ruling out physical causes, calming techniques that work, avoiding paper bags, and supporting people with anxiety disorders.
Love is the foundation, but knowing each other’s health helps couples plan their future. What premarital screening involves, why genotype testing matters for sickle cell disease, HIV and hepatitis B, and how to handle results with love.
Electrolyte disturbances are common and can be fatal. Normal ranges, causes and symptoms of low and high sodium and potassium, ECG changes, safe correction, and the nursing role in monitoring.
Extreme heat is increasing worldwide, from the Gulf to the Sahel and South Asia. Who is at risk, the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke, rapid cooling methods, and protecting patients and nurses.
Incontinence is common, distressing and often treatable, but too often managed only with pads. Types of incontinence, assessment, bladder training, skin care, toileting programmes, and protecting dignity.
Over-sedation and under-sedation both harm ICU patients. The Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale explained, daily sedation interruption, delirium screening with CAM-ICU, and the nurse’s role in the ABCDEF bundle.
Poor oral hygiene in hospital is linked to pneumonia, infections and malnutrition, yet mouth care is often skipped. Assessment, daily care for dependent patients, dentures, ventilated patients, and end-of-life mouth care.
Contaminated blood cultures lead to unnecessary antibiotics and longer stays. When to take cultures, the correct aseptic technique, volume, which bottle first, and common mistakes.
Central lines are lifelines, and a major source of hospital bloodstream infections. Insertion and maintenance bundles, dressing changes, accessing and flushing, recognising infection, and safe removal.