Tutor profile: Lauren E.

What is an important safety consideration when turning a bed bound patient receiving nasogastric (NG) feedings?

There is a risk of aspiration if the feed is actively running and the patient shifts significantly. When turning or adjusting a patient in bed, it is important to temporarily stop the feeding until the patient is settled again. You must also check that the feed is resumed and working properly once the task is complete and before you leave the room. This includes assessing tubing for any obstructions, and that the machine is on and flowing at the correct rate..

Let's say you are preparing for an Anatomy exam, and you always struggle to remember the four chambers of the heart. In addition to repetition and varied exposure to the material while studying, what is a tactic you can apply during the exam to ensure this information isn't lost if you draw a blank?

If you know you struggle with certain topics and worry you won't recall a piece of knowledge once you start the exam, it can be helpful to write down this information somewhere on the exam or scratch paper as soon as you begin. For example, if you have trouble approaching algebra questions, it might be useful to write down PEMDAS as soon as your exam is in front of you. This allows you to refer to this acronym when solving equations, and you can focus your attention on finding the correct solution rather than trying to recall something you memorized (the formula).

What is the MOST important assessment question to ask before formally diagnosing a patient with a psychiatric illness?

The DSM-V is a professional manual that outlines the diagnostic criteria of various psychiatric conditions. Under each illness, there are diagnostic criteria and specifiers. It is always important to carefully assess an individual and be mindful of the nuances and overlap that exist. However, according to the DSM-V, a patient must be distressed by their symptoms in order to fit criteria for a diagnosis. For example, if a patient reports potential symptoms of depression (e.g. sadness, loss of appetite), but they are functioning well and do not report any issues related to these changes, the evaluator must carefully consider whether this diagnosis is warranted.