A Nurse's Guide

Master the skills. Understand the philosophy. Elevate your practice.

My new book on IV insertion is out now on Amazon! Click the cover image below to check it out and let me know what you think!

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A Nurse's Guide

Master the skills. Understand the philosophy. Elevate your practice.

Click a title below to learn more and access extras

A Nurse's Guide

Master the skills. Understand the philosophy. Elevate your practice.

Thank you so much for reading my book on IV insertion. I truly hope you found it valuable, perhaps even entertaining, and that it provided some benefit to you. If you haven't read it yet, click the Amazon link to check it out!If you leave a review, THANK YOU! I’ve written this book to help people, and I genuinely love hearing what you have to say! Written reviews are surprisingly difficult to acquire, so I cherish every one.

A Nurse's Guide

Master the skills. Understand the philosophy. Elevate your practice.

A Nurse's Guide

Master the skills. Understand the philosophy. Elevate your practice.

A Nurse's Guide

Master the skills. Understand the philosophy. Elevate your practice.

A Nurse's Guide

Master the skills. Understand the philosophy. Elevate your practice.

A Nurse's Guide

Master the skills. Understand the philosophy. Elevate your practice.

Chemical phlebitis often results from solutions with high osmolality (>500 mOsm/liter) or extreme pH levels (<5 or >9). Below are tables that didn't make it into the book, indicating the osmolality in common solutions and medications. Because some of these medications and solutions pose a higher risk for phlebitis, it is important to assess the IV site periodically, especially if a high-risk solution or medication is being infused.

Source:
Pereira-da-Silva, L., Henriques, G., Videira-Amaral, J. M., Rodrigues, R., Ribeiro, L., & Virella, D. (2002). Osmolality of solutions, emulsions and drugs that may have a high osmolality: Aspects of their use in neonatal care. The Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine, 11(5), 333–338. https://doi.org/10.1080/jmf.11.5.333.338

A Nurse's Guide

Master the skills. Understand the philosophy. Elevate your practice.

A Nurse's Guide

Master the skills. Understand the philosophy. Elevate your practice.

Something else that didn't make it into the book, but is quite interesting, is William Brooke O'Shaughnessy's involvement in medical marijuana. O'Shaughnessy was not only instrumental in assisting with the eradication of Cholera in the 1830s, but he later introduced cannabis into Western medicine. An Irish physician and scientist, he was particularly interested in the traditional uses of cannabis during his tenure in India. O'Shaughnessy joined the British East India Company and moved to Calcutta in 1833. It was here that he began his research into the effects of local plants like cannabis and opium, noting their use in local medicinal practices for its analgesic properties[1].In 1839, O'Shaughnessy published his notable study "On the Preparations of the Indian Hemp, or Gunjah," in the "Transactions of the Medical and Physical Society of Bengal." This comprehensive paper detailed his observations and experiments with cannabis, describing its potential therapeutic applications in treating ailments such as rheumatism, epilepsy, and tetanus[2]. His work played a crucial role in introducing cannabis to European and American medicine, influencing its inclusion in the U.S. Pharmacopeia by 1851, where it remained until 1942[3].O'Shaughnessy's research marked a significant turning point in medical history, illustrating the potential benefits of cannabis and fostering further scientific exploration into its uses in the West.Sources:Mills, James H. "Cannabis Britannica: Empire, Trade, and Prohibition 1800-1928." Oxford University Press, 2003.O'Shaughnessy, W.B. "On the Preparations of the Indian Hemp, or Gunjah: Cannabis Indica Their Effects on the Animal System in Health, and their Utility in the Treatment of Tetanus and other Convulsive Diseases." Transactions of the Medical and Physical Society of Bengal, 1838-1840, pp. 421-461.Booth, Martin. "Cannabis: A History." St. Martin's Press, 2003.

A Nurse's Guide

Master the skills. Understand the philosophy. Elevate your practice.

The Power of Beer During Cholera Outbreaks

In an era before modern sanitation, access to clean drinking water was far from guaranteed. Contaminated water sources often carried deadly pathogens, contributing to frequent outbreaks of cholera and typhoid. Yet, one common beverage unknowingly provided a safer alternative: beer. The brewing process required boiling water, which is a crucial step that killed many harmful microorganisms long before germ theory was understood. Additionally, the addition of hops, which acted as a natural preservative, further enhanced its stability and safety.Beyond the effects of boiling, fermentation introduced another layer of protection. The alcohol content in beer created an environment less hospitable to bacteria, making it a safer choice than untreated water. Even if small amounts of contaminated water were introduced, the presence of alcohol may have provided some degree of protection to those who drank it. This was particularly relevant in regions where reliable sources of clean water were scarce, as beer became an everyday staple not just for enjoyment but for practical survival.Notably, the beer commonly consumed in past centuries, often called "small beer", differed significantly from today’s stronger brews. With an alcohol content as low as 0.75% by volume, it was mild enough for regular consumption without significant intoxicating effects. This made it a practical source of hydration, especially for laborers, travelers, and even children. While its lower alcohol content may have reduced its antiseptic qualities, it also made it far less damaging to the liver than modern high-proof beverages.Meanwhile, the dangers of drinking untreated water persisted. Before sanitation infrastructure and water purification techniques were established, water supplies in growing cities were frequently tainted by sewage, leading to widespread disease. Miasma theory, the belief that foul air caused illness, dominated medical thinking, delaying the recognition of waterborne disease transmission. It was not until John Snow’s groundbreaking research in the mid-19th century that the role of contaminated water in spreading cholera was proven, forever changing public health.While beer was never intentionally designed as a public health measure, its production and consumption played an inadvertent role in reducing exposure to deadly waterborne pathogens. In this way, the preference for beer over water may have contributed to lower disease rates and even supported economic and societal stability, providing a hidden health benefit to those who relied on it as a daily drink.Source:
Antman, Francisca and Flynn, James, When Beer is Safer than Water: Beer Availability and Mortality from Waterborne Illnesses. IZA Discussion Paper No. 17164, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4905202

A Nurse's Guide

Master the skills. Understand the philosophy. Elevate your practice.

This is a fun short story about the Murphy drip that didn't make it into the book.In the early 20th century (1910s to 1920s), most fluid replacement was done via rectal infusion, more commonly known at the time as a Murphy drip [3]. American surgeon John Benjamin Murphy invented the Murphy drip in 1909 to administer medications and replace fluids and electrolytes when oral replenishment was not an option [4]. However, by 1928, the Murphy drip took second stage to the growing use of intravenous therapy [1]During World War II, a peculiar story unfolded on June 4, 1942, involving Pharmacist’s Mate Edwin Miller, stationed on Sand Island of the Midway Atoll. As the island prepared for a Japanese attack, Miller brewed an intensely strong pot of coffee. The coffee wasn’t intended for drinking but for use in a traditional medical practice—administering a stimulant rectally through a Murphy drip to treat patients in shock. The concept behind this method was that the coffee’s extreme bitterness made it unsuitable for oral consumption, but its properties could provide stimulation when delivered rectally.As the attack loomed, Miller’s commanding officer, Lieutenant Commander A. E. Ady, joined him. Unaware of the coffee’s intended purpose, Dr. Ady asked for a cup. Seizing the opportunity for a prank, Miller allowed him to drink it. To compound the joke, Miller also took a sip himself. The coffee brewed far too strong for palatability left both men facing its effects in different ways. Dr. Ady, ever unflappable, continued cracking jokes as the attack unfolded, a testament to his resil. Miller, however, paid the price for his joke, feeling quite ill afterward [2].Sources:1. Callahan v. Hahnemann Hospital, 26 P.2d 506 (Cal. Ct. App. 1933).2. Lord, W. (1998). Midway: The incredible victory. Burford.3. Millam, D. (1996). The history of intravenous therapy. Journal of Intravenous Nursing, 19(1), 5–14. PMID: 87088444. Morgenstern, L. (2006). John Benjamin Murphy (1857-1916): An american surgical phenomenon. Surgical Innovation, 13(1), 1–3. https://doi.org/10.1177/155335060601300101

A Nurse's Guide

Master the skills. Understand the philosophy. Elevate your practice.

A Nurse's Guide

Master the skills. Understand the philosophy. Elevate your practice.

A Nurse's Guide

Master the skills. Understand the philosophy. Elevate your practice.

A Nurse's Guide

Master the skills. Understand the philosophy. Elevate your practice.

I am a registered nurse (RN) working in ambulatory surgery, with a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree and certification in Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nursing (CAPA). My interest in IV therapy has grown profoundly over the years. Through my writing, such as A Nurse's Guide to Intravenous Insertion, I aim to share practical insights and historical knowledge to help fellow healthcare professionals enhance their practice.

A Nurse's Guide

Master the skills. Understand the philosophy. Elevate your practice.