What is a Flow Sheet?

You arrive for your shift and grab the clipboard at the nurses’ station. That grid with rows of numbers isn’t just busy work; it’s the...

What is a Foley Catheter?

Imagine not having to rush to the bathroom in the middle of the night or worry about wet sheets. For residents who cannot control their...

What is Foot Drop?

You are walking Mr. Henderson to the dining room when you notice the toes of his left foot drag slightly across the carpet with every...

What Are Force Fluids?

You see the doctor’s new order on the care plan: “Force Fluids.” It sounds a bit intense, like you might need a hose or a...

What is Fowler’s Position?

You are helping Mr. Henderson get ready for his lunch, but he seems to be struggling to catch his breath while lying flat. By raising...

What is a Fracture Pan?

You walk into Mr. Henderson’s room after his hip surgery, and he signals he needs to use the bathroom. He cannot lift his hips without...

What is Gangrene?

You are performing routine foot care for a resident with diabetes when you notice a dark, blackish discoloration on their toe that wasn’t there yesterday....

What Does Graduate Mean?

It’s the end of a busy shift, and the nurse asks you for Mr. Henderson’s exact urine output. You reach for that clear, plastic cylinder...

What is Etch and Roll?

As you walk into Mr. Henderson’s room to help him with breakfast, you notice his stroke-affected hand is resting comfortably on a pillow, cupped around...

Understanding Healthcare Directives: What They Mean and Why They Matter

You’ve likely heard a family member ask, “Does Mom really want to go back to the hospital if she stops breathing?” or seen a specific...