This week I have seen alot of TPN and TF patients. The doctors tend to over use TPN which is unfortunate but it sure is giving me alot of practice. I also sat in on the Diabetes education class this week which is taught in two parts. The first part is taught by a nurse who teaches them about the insulin pumps, meds etc. and the second part is taught by the dietitian. They have an hour break in between for lunch and we dont tell them that we are going to ask what they had for lunch when they get back. I was shocked at the number of patients who just had diet education go out and eat Bojangles (apparently a huge favorite around here). Its doubtful that they will be doing any carbohydrate counting when they leave.
Last week I got to see a barium swallow on a patient who had surgery on his spine but they entered through the front of the neck. As a result he has had trouble swallowing since he recovered. It was unreal the amount of liquids just sat in the back of his throat or that he aspirated. But the speech therapist had him turn his head all different directions and try to swallow and sure enough when he turned his head to the right he swallowed just fine. It was a pretty neat thing to see.
Hope everyone is doing well!