Advance Directives

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Chance Reaves
MSN-Ed,RN
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Outline

Overview

  1. Advance Directives
    1. Living Will
    2. Medical Power of Attorney

Nursing Points

 

General

  1. Patient Wishes & Advocacy
    1. Patient Wishes
    2. Patient Advocacy
  2. Living Will
    1. Legal Document
    2. Written out for instances for which a patient cannot communicate their decisions
    3. Often DNR/Partial DNR/Full Code Wishes
      1. Full Code
        1. Chemicals/Drugs
        2. Compressions
        3. Shocks
        4. Intubation
      2. DNR – Do Not Resuscitate
        1. None of the Above
      3. Partial DNR
        1. One or more, but NOT all of the above
    4. State Dependent on executing them
  3. Medical Power of Attorney
    1. Legal Document
    2. Different than Durable Power of Attorney (DPOA)
    3. Designates a particular person or persons to make medical decisions for the patient
    4. In the absence of a MPOA, state laws dictate who makes medical decisions
      1. Example – TX – Spouse, Adult Children, Living Parents, Nearest Living Adult Relative, then providers
  4. Who needs a Living Will and who needs a Medical Power of Attorney
    1. Living Wills and Plans of Care
      1. Needed prior to injury, illness, hospitalization and/or treatment
      2. Example: Healthy individuals or those with chronic illness who may expect to receive treatment in the future
    2. Medical Power of Attorney
      1. Needed by those who may, at some point, be unable to voice their own decisions regarding medical care.
      2. Example: Patients with dementia or cancer.

Nursing Concepts

  1. Health Policy
  2. Ethical & Legal Practice
  3. End of Life

Patient Education

  1. Patients should be educated on advance directives
  2. Patients should be educated on Power of Attorneys and Living Wills
  3. Chaplain can assist with obtaining an advanced directive in the hospital

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Transcript

In this lesson, we’ll be taking a look at advanced directives and ways we can follow our patient’s wishes regarding medical decisions.

This is a heavy subject and not everyone likes talking about things associated with end of life. But it’s really important, and more important for you as the nurse to realize.
There are lots of points that I’ll make throughout this lesson, but a big takeaway from this is that advanced directives are about the PATIENT and what they want regarding their care when they can’t tell you. Patients can often have conversations with family members about their wishes, but sometimes that information doesn’t get to the right people. Let’s say for example, you have a young married couple who knows exactly what each other want in terms of ICU care, but they get in a terrible accident. Because they didn’t tell OTHER family members, no one knows what medical decisions to make. This complicates the situation for everyone.
So how can you honor your patient’s wishes? First off, start by advocating for them. Talk to your patients and find out what they want, and if they’ve taken the steps to get their wishes written up in legal documentation. If so, then great, you’re now one step of the game. But if not, and hopefully by the end of this lesson, you can steer your patients in the right direction so that they can make sure that their family members know what they want.

What are living wills? Well living wills are legal documents put together by patients that discuss their wishes for care. They can be complex or simple, but the goal of the living will is to guide a medical team or family members in what care a patient would want if they couldn’t speak for themselves. It’s a way to give a voice to a patient, in their own words, before anything happens. For example, if a patient doesn’t wish to be on a ventilator, or to be intubated, then those things can be outlined in a living will. And sometimes they can outline what they want in respect to what is known as a “code status.” Code statuses are essentially a policy by a hospital which directs all healthcare workers in what life-saving measures to use in the event of an emergency like cardiac or respiratory arrest When we talk about Full Code statuses (or a “full code”), it simply means that the patient agrees to have all life saving measures done. This includes defibrillation, chest compressions, artificial breathing, administration of emergency drugs, and breathing tubes with machines like a ventilator.
A DNR code status is a Do-Not-Resuscitate order. It’s virtually the opposite of a full-code status. This means that the patient is refusing to be shocked, compressions, breathing tubes, drugs and any life-saving measures. One important thing to remember is that this requires an order by a doctor, AND discussion between the doctor and the patient or the family. Doctors can often refer to living wills for code statuses, and can use those to enact those orders.
Now one caveat to code statuses is that there is one more type of code status, known as a Partial DNR. This means a patient is refusing only PARTICULAR aspects of life saving measures, but not others. For instance, they could be a partial DNR with no chemicals or compressions, but will accept intubation. This means that the patient doesn’t want CPR, but will accept a breathing tube. There are multiple combinations of these partial DNR orders, so pay VERY close attention to them when you see them.

Now a medical power of attorney is another legal document that helps medical providers to make decisions about medical care.
A power of attorney is a legal document that assigns a particular person the right to make legal decisions about another person. There are two different types of power of attorney, a medical power of attorney and a durable power of attorney.
For the medical power of attorney, what happens is that a patient picks someone and grants them the ability to make medical decisions about their care and their care only.
This is different than a durable power of attorney. A durable power of attorney gives someone the authority to make decisions for someone else, and it excludes medical decisions. So an example of this would be like paying bills, withdrawing money from a bank account, and other court or legal issues.
The important point here though is that a medical power of attorney helps to give a patient a voice by using someone they trust. And that person then makes decisions regarding their medical care for them. So who makes medical decisions when there’s no advanced directive? There’s usually a list of people, and an order in which they’re picked, to be that patient’s decision maker. It varies by state and country, so be sure to check your state jurisdiction for those.

So who needs what? Who needs a living will and who needs a medical power of attorney?In short, a patient needs a living will PRIOR to any injury or illness. They can be healthy individuals or patients with chronic conditions. The patients that need a medical power of attorney are those who know that, maybe inevitably, in the future they may not be able to make their own medical decisions. So it’s important for them to assign someone to make those decisions for them. Examples of this are patients with dementia or even cancer. Let’s take a look at some nursing concepts for advanced directives. Advanced directives are a direct reflection of ethical and legal practice. They’re also a product of health policy, seeing as these situations can be complicated. That being said, follow up with your government to find out what laws apply where you live. And lastly, end of life, while not always an easy subject to talk about goes hand in hand with advanced directives. It’s always best to know your patient’s wishes

Now let’s recap.

When we look at our patient’s we need to know what they want in terms of their care. Advanced directives are a way to give them that opportunity.

Living wills are outlines PRIOR to treatment.

And a medical power of attorney picks someone to make decisions for a patient, so usually someone they trust. And who needs what?

A Living will plans for future events and a medical power of attorney picks someone to help with making decisions when the patient can’t.
And finally, know your patient’s code status regarding emergencies. Know the difference between a full code and a DNR status, and what you need to do to make sure you follow your patient’s wishes.

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Nursing Care and Pathophysiology of COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
12 Points to Answering Pharmacology Questions
ABGs Nursing Normal Lab Values
Care of the Pediatric Patient
Glaucoma
Menstrual Cycle
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Addiction – Behavioral Problems Nursing Mnemonic (The 5 D’s)
Addisons Assessment Nursing Mnemonic (STEROID)
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Adrenal Gland Hormones Nursing Mnemonic (The 3 S’s)
Airborne Precaution Diseases Nursing Mnemonic (MTV)
Alcoholism – Outcomes Nursing Mnemonic (BAD)
Alkalosis and Acidosis Nursing Mnemonic (Kick Up, Drop Down)
Altered Mental Status Nursing Mnemonic (AEIOU TIPS)
Alzheimer – Diagnosis Nursing Mnemonic (The 5 A’s)
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Anemia
Anion Gap Acidosis 1 Nursing Mnemonic (KULT)
Anion Gap Acidosis 2 Nursing Mnemonic (MUDPILES)
Anorexia – Signs and Symptoms Nursing Mnemonic (ANOREXIA)
Anticholinergics – Side Effects Nursing Mnemonic (4 Can’ts)
Aortic Aneurysm – Management Nursing Mnemonic (CRAM)
Aortic Aneurysm – Thoracic signs Nursing Mnemonic (PEE BADS)
Aortic Stenosis Symptoms Nursing Mnemonic (SAD)
Appendicitis – Assessment Nursing Mnemonic (PAINS)
ARDS causes Nursing Mnemonic (GUT PASS)
Arterial Blood Gases Nursing Mnemonic (ROME)
Assessment for Myasthenic Crisis Nursing Mnemonic (BRISH)
Assessment of a Burn Nursing Mnemonic (SCALD)
Assessment of Guillain-Barre Syndrome Nursing Mnemonic (GBS=PAID)
Asthma management Nursing Mnemonic (ASTHMA)
At Risk for Gout Nursing Mnemonic (MALE)
AVPU Mnemonic (The AVPU Scale)
Bacterial Endocarditis – Symptoms Nursing Mnemonic (Be Joan Of Arc)
Benzodiazepines Nursing Mnemonic (Donuts and TLC)
Beta 1 and Beta 2 Nursing Mnemonic (1 Heart, 2 Lungs)
Bleeding Complications (Minor) Nursing Mnemonic (BEEP)
Bleeding Precautions Nursing Mnemonic (RANDI)
Blood Type O Nursing Mnemonic (Universally Odd)
BPH Symptoms Nursing Mnemonic (FUN WISE)
Bulimia – Signs and Symptoms 1 Nursing Mnemonic (BULIMIA)
Bulimia – Signs and Symptoms 2 Nursing Mnemonic (WASHED)
Cancer – Early Warning Signs Nursing Mnemonic (CAUTION UP)
Cancer – Nursing Priorities Nursing Mnemonic (CANCER)
Canes Nursing Mnemonic (COAL)
Cardiac Valves Blood Flow Nursing Mnemonic (Toilet Paper my Ass)
Caring Licensed Practical Nurse Nursing Mnemonic (CLPN)
Causes of Anaphylaxis Nursing Mnemonic (Many Boys Love Food)
Causes of Chorioamnionitis Nursing Mnemonic (Pregnancies Are Very Interesting)
Causes of Dyspnea Nursing Mnemonic (The 6 P’s)
Causes of Labor Dystocia Nursing Mnemonic (Having Extremely Frustrating Labor)
Causes of Pancreatitis Nursing Mnemonic (BAD HITS)
Causes of Poor Gas Exchange Nursing Mnemonic (All People Can Value Lungs)
Causes of Postpartum Hemorrhage Nursing Mnemonic (4 T’s)
Causes of Renal Calculi Nursing Mnemonic (Patients Complain of Pain and Difficulty Urinating)
Chest Tube Assessment Nursing Mnemonic (Two AA’s)
CHF Treatment Nursing Mnemonic (UNLOAD FAST)
Child Abuse/Neglect – Warning Signs Nursing Mnemonic (CHILD ABUSE)
CHO, CHO, CHON Nursing Mnemonic (CHO, CHO, CHON)
Cholinergic Crisis – Signs and Symptoms Nursing Mnemonic (SLUDGE)
Circulatory Checks (5 P’s) Nursing Mnemonic (The 5 P’s)
Cirrhosis Complications Nursing Mnemonic (Please Bring Happy Energy)
Cleft Lip Repair – Post Op Care Nursing Mnemonic (CLEFT LIP)
Common Pathogens for UTI Nursing Mnemonic (KEEPS)
Common Signs of Parkinson’s Nursing Mnemonic (SMART)
Community Health Tool Nursing Mnemonic (MAP-IT)
Complications of Spinal Cord Injuries Nursing Mnemonic (ABCDEFG)
Complications of Thoracentesis Nursing Mnemonic (Patients Sometimes Bleed Internally)
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Heart Failure (CHF)
COPD management Nursing Mnemonic (COPD)
Cor Pulmonale – Signs & Symptoms Nursing Mnemonic (Please Read His Text)
Coronary Arteries – Location Nursing Mnemonic (I have a RIGHT to CAMP if you LEFT off the AC)
Cranial Nerve Mnemonic 01 Nursing Mnemonic (Olympic Opium Occupies Troubled Triathletes After Finishing Vegas Gambling Vacations Still High)
Cranial Nerve Mnemonic 02 Nursing Mnemonic (Oh Oh Oh To Touch And Feel Very Good Velvet AH!)
Cranial Nerve Mnemonic 03 Nursing Mnemonic (On Old Obando Tower Top A Filipino Army Guards Villages And Huts)
Crohn’s Morphology and Symptoms Nursing Mnemonic (CHRISTMAS)
Cushings Assessment Nursing Mnemonic (STRESSED)
Cyanotic Defects Nursing Mnemonic (The 4 T’s)
Decrease ICP Nursing Mnemonic (Craniums Excite Me)
Dementia Nursing Mnemonic (DEMENTIA)
Depression Assessment Nursing Mnemonic (SIGNS)
Diabetes Insipidus Nursing Mnemonic (DDD)
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology of Diabetes Mellitus (DM)
Diabetes Mellitus Type 1- Signs & Symptoms Nursing Mnemonic (The 3 P’s)
Diagnostic Criteria for Lupus Nursing Mnemonic (SOAP BRAIN MD)
Diarrhea – Treatment Nursing Mnemonic (BRAT)
Dissociative Disorders
Diverticulitis Complications Nursing Mnemonic (Please Fix His Abscess SOon)
DKA Treatment Nursing Mnemonic (KING UFC)
Drug Interactions Nursing Mnemonic (These Drugs Can Interact)
Drugs for Bradycardia & Low Blood Pressure Nursing Mnemonic (IDEA)
Drugs that Cause SJS Nursing Mnemonic (I C NASA)
Eczema
Electrolytes – Location in Body Nursing Mnemonic (PISO)
Emergency Drugs Nursing Mnemonic (LEAN)
Environmental Health Assessment Nursing Mnemonic (I PREPARE)
Epiglottitis – Signs and Symptoms Nursing Mnemonic (AIR RAID)
Episiotomy – Evaluation of Healing Nursing Mnemonic (REEDA)
Evaluation of Irregular Moles Nursing Mnemonic (ABCDE)
Exercise Guidelines Nursing Mnemonic (FIT)
Factors That Can Put a Pregnancy at Risk Nursing Mnemonic (RIBCAGE)
Fetal Distress Interventions Nursing Mnemonic (Stop MOAN)
Fetal Wellbeing Assessment Tests Nursing Mnemonic (ALONE)
Fire Safety 1 Nursing Mnemonic (PASS)
Fire Safety 2 Nursing Mnemonic (RACE)
Flu Symptoms Nursing Mnemonic (FACTS)
Fractures
GERD causes Nursing Mnemonic (Reflux Is Probably Mean)
Global Symptoms for Brain Tumors Nursing Mnemonic (HAS)
Gluten Free Diet Nursing Mnemonic (BROW)
Heart Failure – Right Sided Nursing Mnemonic (HEAD)
Heart Failure-Left-Sided Nursing Mnemonic (CHOP)
Heart Failure-Origin Nursing Mnemonic (Left – Lung|Right – Rest)
Heart Sounds Nursing Mnemonic (APE To Man – All People Enjoy Time Magazine)
HELLP Syndrome – Signs and Symptoms Nursing Mnemonic (HELLP)
Hemodynamics
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Hemorrhagic Stroke (CVA)
Hemorrhagic Stroke Risk Factors Nursing Mnemonic (HATS)
Hiatal Hernia Symptoms Nursing Mnemonic (Her Belly Really Hurts Following Dinner)
High Pressure Vent Alarms Nursing Mnemonic (Kings Eat Big Cakes)
High Risk Behavior Nursing Mnemonic (HEADSS)
Hypercalcemia – Signs and Symptoms Nursing Mnemonic (GROANS, MOANS, BONES, STONES, OVERTONES)
Hyperglycemia Management Nursing Mnemonic (Dry and Hot – Insulin Shot)
Hyperkalemia – Causes Nursing Mnemonic (MACHINE)
Hyperkalemia – Management Nursing Mnemonic (AIRED)
Hyperkalemia – Signs and Symptoms Nursing Mnemonic (Murder)
Hypernatremia – Causes Nursing Mnemonic (MODEL)
Hypernatremia – Signs and Symptoms 2 Nursing Mnemonic (FRIED)
Hypernatremia – Signs and Symptoms 2 Nursing Mnemonic (SWINE)
Hypernatremia – Signs and Symptoms 3 Nursing Mnemonic (SALT)
Hypertension – Nursing care Nursing Mnemonic (DIURETIC)
Hypertension- Complications Nursing Mnemonic (The 4 C’s)
Hypocalcemia – Definition, Signs and Symptoms Nursing Mnemonic (CATS)
Hypoglycemia – Signs and Symptoms Nursing Mnemonic (TIRED)
Hypoglycemia Management Nursing Mnemonic (Cool and Clammy – Give ‘Em Candy)
Hypoglycemia symptoms Nursing Mnemonic (DIRE)
Hypokalemia – Signs and Symptoms Nursing Mnemonic (6 L’s)
Hyponatremia- Definition, Signs and Symptoms Nursing Mnemonic (SALT LOSS)
Hypoxia – Signs and Symptoms (in Pediatrics) Nursing Mnemonic (FINES)
Hypoxia – Signs and Symptoms Nursing Mnemonic (RAT BED)
IADLS (Instrumental Activities of Daily Living) Nursing Mnemonic (SCUM)
Increase MAP Nursing Mnemonic (VAK)
Inflammation- Signs and Symptoms Nursing Mnemonic (HIPER)
Insulin Mnemonic (Ready, Set, Inject, Love)
Interventions for Aphasia Nursing Mnemonic (PROP)
Intra Uterine Device – Potential Problems Nursing Mnemonic (PAINS)
Intrarenal Causes of Acute Kidney Injury Nursing Mnemonic (TONIC)
Leukemia – Signs and Symptoms Nursing Mnemonic (ANT)
Levels of consciousness Nursing Mnemonic (Never Carry Dirty Socks Or Smelly Clothes)
Lidocaine Toxicity – Signs and Symptoms Nursing Mnemonic (SAMS)
Low Pressure Vent Alarms Nursing Mnemonic (Cake Everyday)
Lymphoma – Signs and Symptoms Nursing Mnemonic (NURSE For Pete’s Sake)
Management of Glomerulonephritis Nursing Mnemonic (Please Help Deliver Diuretics)
Management of Lyme Disease Nursing Mnemonic (BAR)
Management of Pressure Ulcers (Pressure Injuries) Nursing Mnemonic (SKIN)
Manic Attack – Signs and Symptoms Nursing Mnemonic (DIG FAST)
MAO Inhibitors Nursing Mnemonic (TIPS)
Medication Classess for IBD Nursing Mnemonic (Sometimes I Can’t Answer)
Medications for Pancreatitis Nursing Mnemonic (Please Make Tummy Better)
Medications to Prevent Seizures Nursing Mnemonic (Pretty Little Liars Forever)
Meningitis Assessment Findings Nursing Mnemonic (FAN LIPS)
Mnemonic for Organ Systems (MR DICE RUNS)
Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms Nursing Mnemonic (DEMYELINATION)
Murmur locations Nursing Mnemonic (hARD ASS MRS. MSD)
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology of Myocardial Infarction (MI)
Myocardial Infarction Nursing Mnemonic (MONATAS)
OB Non-Stress Test Results Nursing Mnemonic (NNN)
OLD CARTS Mnemonic (OLD CARTS)
Oral Birth Control Pills – Serious Complications Nursing Mnemonic (Aches)
Pain Assessment Questions Nursing Mnemonic (OPQRST)
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Parkinsons
Asthma
Pediatric Gastrointestinal Dysfunction – Diarrhea
Pharmacokinetics Nursing Mnemonic (ADME)
Planning Community Health Interventions Nursing Mnemonic (PRECEDE-PROCEED)
Pneumonia Risk Factors Nursing Mnemonic (VENTS)
Pneumothorax Signs and Symptoms Nursing Mnemonic (P-THORAX)
Possible Infections During Pregnancy Nursing Mnemonic (TORCH)
Post-Partum Assessment Nursing Mnemonic (BUBBLE)
Postpartum Hemorrhage (PPH)
Preeclampsia: Signs, Symptoms, Nursing Care, and Magnesium Sulfate
Pregnancy Outcomes Nursing Mnemonic (GTPAL)
Probable Signs of Pregnancy Nursing Mnemonic (CHOP BUGS)
Process of Labor – Mom Nursing Mnemonic (4 P’s)
Process of Labor – Baby Nursing Mnemonic (ALPPPS)
Promotion and Evaluation of Normal Elimination Nursing Mnemonic (POOPER SCOOP)
Prostate Nursing Mnemonic (FUN)
Proton Pump Inhibitors
Pulmonary edema treatment Nursing Mnemonic (MAD DOG)
Pupil Reactions Nursing Mnemonic (PERRLA)
Reactivation of Herpes Zoster Nursing Mnemonic (FICA)
Reasons for a Bronchoscopy Nursing Mnemonic (Please Assess His Weird Bronchoscopy Results)
Reasons for Chest Tube Nursing Mnemonic (Don’t Ever Fail)
Restrictive Lung Disease Causes Nursing Mnemonic (PAINT)
Rheumatoid Arthritis Assessment Nursing Mnemonic (RHEUMATOID)
Risk Factors for Cholelithiasis Nursing Mnemonic (5-F’s)
Risk Factors for Osteoporosis Nursing Mnemonic (ACCESS)
Safety Check Nursing Mnemonic (MADLE)
SBAR Communication Nursing Mnemonic (SBAR)
Schizophrenia
Scleroderma Symptoms Nursing Mnemonic (CREST)
Seizure Causes Nursing Mnemonic (VITAMIN)
Seizure Documentation Nursing Mnemonic (TDOC)
Senile Dementia – Assess for Changes Nursing Mnemonic (JAMCO)
Shock – Signs and symptoms Nursing Mnemonic (TV SPARC CUBE)
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for SIADH (Syndrome of Inappropriate antidiuretic Hormone Secretion)
Signs of Osteoarthritis Nursing Mnemonic (OSTEO)
Sprains and Strains – Nursing Care Nursing Mnemonic (RICE)
SSRI’s Nursing Mnemonic (Effective For Sadness, Panic, and Compulsions)
Stages of Fetal Development Nursing Mnemonic (Proficiently Expanding Fetus)
Stages of Hepatitis Nursing Mnemonic (PIP)
Steps in the Nursing Process 1 Nursing Mnemonic (ADPIE)
Steps in the Nursing Process 2 Nursing Mnemonic (AAPIE)
Steps In The Nursing Process 3 Nursing Mnemonic (SOAPIE)
Steroids – Side Effects Nursing Mnemonic (6 S’s)
Stoke Assessments Nursing Mnemonic (FAST)
Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism Nursing Mnemonic (SWEATING)
Symptoms of Hypothyroidism Nursing Mnemonic (MOM’S SO TIRED)
Symptoms of Nephrotic Syndrome Nursing Mnemonic (NAPHROTIC)
Symptoms of Wernicke’s Encephalopathy Nursing Mnemonic (COAT)
TB Drugs Nursing Mnemonic (RIPE)
Toxicity Sepsis- Signs and Symptoms Nursing Mnemonic (The 6 T’s)
Tracheal Esophageal Fistula – Sign and Symptoms Nursing Mnemonic (The 3 C’s)
Traction – Nursing Care Nursing Mnemonic (TRACTION)
Transient Incontinence – Common Causes Nursing Mnemonic (P-DIAPERS)
Trauma – Assessment (Emergency) Nursing Mnemonic (ABCDEFGHI)
Trauma – Complications Nursing Mnemonic (TRAUMATIC)
Trauma Surgery – Medical History Nursing Mnemonic (AMPLE)
Treatment of Sickle Cell Nursing Mnemonic (HOP to the hospital)
Triage Nursing Mnemonic (START)
Two pathways of the peripheral nervous system Nursing Mnemonic (SAME)
Types of Anemia Nursing Mnemonic (Always Introduce Special Patients)
Types of Hemorrhoids Nursing Mnemonic (Pie)
Ulcerative Colitis – Assessment Nursing Mnemonic (MADE 10)
Umbilical Cord Vasculature Nursing Mnemonic (2A1V)
Vascular Disease – Deep Vein Thrombosis Nursing Mnemonic (HIS Leg Might Fall off)
Vascular disease – Raynaud’s symptoms Nursing Mnemonic (COLD HAND)
Vasospasm Therapy Nursing Mnemonic (Triple H Therapy)
VEAL CHOP Nursing Mnemonic (Fetal Accelerations and Decelerations) (VEAL CHOP)
Vitamins – Fat Soluble Nursing Mnemonic (All Dogs Eat Kibble)
Vitamins – Water Soluble Nursing Mnemonic (Birth Control)
Walkers Nursing Mnemonic (Wandering Wilma Always Late)
Who Needs Dialysis Nursing Mnemonic (AEIOU)