Nursing Student
Meet Jenna, the bright -eyed, bushy pony-tailed, twenty year old about to embark on the journey of a lifetime, Nursing School. The hard work she will endure, the challenges she will face, the patients she will care for and the friendships she will make will surly shape who she is for the rest of her life. And with a little guiding help from the nurse who started it all Florence Nightingale, maybe just maybe Jenna can make it through Nursing School.
Novel in the works working titles: The Nightingale student or Diaries of a Nursing Student
Our Organs and What they do!
We have many organs in our body how do they all function to keep us healthy? Here are a couple vital ones I’ve been asked about recently. Our Organs and What they do, with a little help from WebMD…
Kidneys
Our kidneys are located at the back of the abdomen (stomach, lower chest). We have two of them. When looking at a diagram they are shaped like Lima beans. If one fails or shuts down the other is able to function on its own. The kidney filters out all of our blood in our body. All blood passes through our kidneys routinely throughout the day. The kidneys clean our blood and remove waste from the blood. They also help to control fluid balance. The kidneys help to regulate fluid to prevent retention (holding in fluid) and dehydration (not enough fluid in the body). And last but not least they contribute to the balance of electrolytes (sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus etc). After filtering the blood the kidneys create urine. By passing urine this is how we maintain our fluid balance.
Liver
Our Liver is on the right side of the stomach and is protected by the rib cage. You can not feel a normal healthy liver. The gallbladder, parts of the pancreas and parts of the intestines are just below our liver. The liver, gallbladder, pancreas and intestines work to digest, absorb and process the food we eat. Like the kidney the liver also filters blood. The liver filters blood that comes from the digestive tract. After it is digested it is passed to the rest of the body. The liver beaks down chemicals and metabolizes drugs this creates bile that goes to the intestines. Another important thing the liver produces proteins which are important for blood clotting.
Spleen
The spleen is an important organ as it helps our immune system. It does this by filtering blood; recycling old red blood cells and storing white blood cells (which fight infection,) and platelets ( which promote clotting).
There you have it!
Victoria Trifu RN
“The Kidneys.” http://www.webmd.com/urinary-incontinence-oab/picture-of-the-kidneys. WEB MD, 2005. Web. 12 Mar 2012. <http://www.webmd.com/urinary-incontinence-oab/picture-of-the-kidneys>.
N/A, . “Digestive Disorders Health Center.” Webmd. UNknown, 2009. Web. 12 Mar 2012. <http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/picture-of-the-liver>.
Digestive disorders health center. WebMD LLC, 2010. Web. 12 Mar 2012. <http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/picture-of-the-spleen>.
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Protect your Skin
It is summer time that means more sun exposure than you get the rest of the 9 months out of the year. Apply that SPF! I know, I know us nurses don’t always set the best example. Some of us don’t eat properly, some don’t exercise and some- gasp-smoke. So there is no exception when it comes to nurses stepping out of the tanning bed looking like oompa loompas. Orange is not natural. It does not mean it is OK.
Soaking up the rays is how I ideally spend my summer. The sun is a great and all natural source of Vitamin D. Vitamin D’s main action is the absorption of calcium which strengthens our bones and teeth. Vitamin D also boosts muscular and immune health. Low Vitamin D can cause low energy, poor immunity, and puts you at risk for heart issues. However, when you’re napping on the beach you don’t want to risk skin damage from ultraviolet radiation. The best way to prevent this is to wear SUNSCREEN and skip the tanning bed.