Nurse Practitioner - Day in the Life

Summary

In this video, Nurse Practitioner Amen takes us through a day in primary and urgent care. From performing a suture removal and handling a thumb fracture to managing lab results, X-rays, and prescribing medications, the video showcases the variety of tasks a nurse practitioner handles. Amen emphasizes the fast-paced nature of the job, highlighting the importance of efficiency in charting and patient care. The video offers a behind-the-scenes look at the medical practice, illustrating both the challenges and rewards of working in family and urgent care.

Takeaways

• 😀 Nurse practitioners in primary and urgent care settings often use essential tools like stethoscopes and other kits to perform tasks such as suture removals.
• 😀 Suture removal involves using special scissors and forceps to carefully take out stitches, followed by cleaning and applying antibiotic ointment.
• 😀 When patients present with injuries like thumb fractures, nurse practitioners may perform an initial X-ray interpretation to determine if fractures are present.
• 😀 Digital X-ray rooms provide instant access to images, helping practitioners assess injuries and guide treatment decisions, such as splinting for fractures.
• 😀 A displaced thumb fracture requires a splint, which is made from fiberglass and allows room for swelling, ensuring the fracture heals correctly.
• 😀 Nurse practitioners must keep up with electronic charting and patient records to ensure that all medications and follow-up plans are efficiently handled.
• 😀 Pediatric patients often require dose calculations based on their weight, which can take additional time to ensure proper medication administration.
• 😀 Practitioners in urgent and primary care offer services beyond routine checkups, including EKG readings, weight management, and urgent care procedures.
• 😀 A busy day in primary care and urgent care involves fluctuating patient volumes, with periods of downtime followed by intense patient surges.
• 😀 One of the biggest challenges for nurse practitioners is keeping up with thorough documentation, as it is crucial to maintain accurate patient records and treatment plans.
• 😀 The process of seeing multiple patients daily requires careful time management to prevent falling behind on charting and documentation, which can lead to extra work after shifts.

Q & A

What is the primary role of a nurse practitioner in primary and urgent care?

A nurse practitioner in primary and urgent care provides a range of healthcare services, including diagnosing and treating illnesses, performing procedures like suture removals, conducting tests, and managing patient care in both urgent and non-urgent situations.

What tools does a nurse practitioner use during their shift in primary and urgent care?

A nurse practitioner uses a variety of tools, such as a stethoscope, suture removal kit, iodine for cleaning, a scalpel for tighter stitches, and fiberglass splints for fractures.

How is suture removal performed by a nurse practitioner?

Suture removal is done using specialized suture removal scissors that have a hook to lift the stitch. If the stitch is too tight, a scalpel can be used to carefully nick it before removal. Afterward, the area is cleaned, and triple antibiotic ointment is applied before covering it with a bandage.

What steps are involved in taking and interpreting an X-ray for a suspected fracture?

The X-ray procedure involves obtaining three views: an AP (flat) view, an oblique view (tilted), and a lateral view. The nurse practitioner can then interpret the X-ray to check for fractures, and if found, a splint is applied, and the patient is referred to an orthopedic specialist.

What is a displaced thumb fracture, and how is it treated?

A displaced thumb fracture occurs when the bone is misaligned. It is treated by splinting the thumb to prevent further injury and allowing it to heal. The patient may require additional treatment from an orthopedic specialist, including possible pinning to secure the bone in place.

Why is a splint used instead of a full cast initially for fractures?

A splint is used instead of a full cast to allow for swelling of the injury. A cast might trap the swelling and worsen the injury, while a splint provides enough support without constricting the healing tissue.

What are the challenges faced by nurse practitioners in primary and urgent care?

One of the major challenges is keeping up with documentation and charting, which can be time-consuming. Nurse practitioners also face the challenge of managing a high volume of patients, often dealing with waves of activity and ensuring patient care is thorough and timely.

How do nurse practitioners manage their time during busy shifts?

Nurse practitioners manage their time by prioritizing patient care, completing charting and administrative tasks during downtime between patients, and ensuring that all notes, prescriptions, and lab results are handled promptly.

What types of tests are commonly conducted in primary and urgent care?

Common tests in primary and urgent care include STI swabs, pregnancy tests, urinalysis, blood work for various conditions like thyroid function and complete blood count, and EKGs for heart monitoring.

How does electronic health record management improve the workflow for nurse practitioners?

Electronic health records (EHR) allow nurse practitioners to efficiently send prescriptions, document patient interactions, and manage lab results electronically. This eliminates paper prescriptions and streamlines patient care management.