Clinical Tips
Quick and practical tips for your nursing practice
🎯 FAIR: Orthostatic Hypotension Assessment
F — Fatal: 20-30% of falls in elderly caused by OH — a missed drop can mean a broken hip or head bleed A — Assess: 5-1-
💡 Medications Are the #1 Cause of Orthostatic Hypotension
High-risk drug classes: • Diuretics furosemide, HCTZ → volume depletion • Alpha-blockers prazosin, tamsulosin → vasodil
📋 FACES: Systematic HF Assessment
| Letter | Domain | Key Question | |--------|--------|--------------| | F | Fatigue | New/worsening tiredness with usua
💡 Track NYHA class at every visit — it's your trend indicator
| Class | Limitation | Key Finding | |-------|------------|-------------| | I | None | Ordinary activity OK | | II | Sl
🎯 FAIR: Pediatric Sepsis Recognition
F — Fatal: Hypotension LATE sign, altered LOC, mottling beyond knees A — Assess: TAPS in <60 sec — Temperature, Altered
🚨 The 2-3 Week Rule: When Stress Becomes Burnout
Feeling exhausted after a tough shift is normal stress. Feeling exhausted BEFORE every shift, for more than 2-3 weeks,
💡 The T in FAST-R: No questionnaire replaces watching your patient move
| Task | Watch For | |------|-----------| | Rising from chair | Needs armrests? Multiple attempts? | | Standing | Sways
🎯 FAIR: Nurse Burnout Prevention
F — Fatal: Burnout doubles medical error risk, 40% of RNs plan to leave profession A — Assess: Check for EE emotional e