Patients frequently become confused with the various tests and screenings that are offered when it comes to medical procedures. The terms gastroscopy and endoscopy are frequently confused. There are some significant distinctions between these procedures, despite the fact that they both entail inserting a flexible tube with a camera into the body.
A flexible tube with a camera is inserted down the throat, into the stomach, and the small intestine during a procedure known as a gastroscopy, sometimes known as an upper endoscopy. Acid reflux, ulcers, and stomach cancer are among the problems that the technique is frequently used to diagnose and treat. The doctor will use the camera to look for any abnormalities in the digestive tract lining while the patient is given a small sedative to help them relax.
On the other hand, a flexible tube with a camera is used in a variety of procedures known as endoscopy to inspect various body sections. This can apply to the gastrointestinal tract as well as other organs such the lungs, bladder, and uterus. Lung cancer, bladder cancer, and infertility are just a few of the problems that can be identified and treated with an endoscopy.
A colonoscopy may be done by an NP, right?
Nurse practitioners (NPs) are licensed to carry out a variety of medical procedures, including colonoscopies, in many states. To find out what operations NPs are permitted to perform in your area, it’s crucial to check with your local nursing board as state-specific laws and regulations vary.
The steady growth of a healthcare professional’s activities and responsibilities beyond those specified in their initial job description is known in medicine as scope creep. Scope creep would apply, for instance, if a nurse began carrying out duties that are typically the responsibility of a doctor. While some scope creep is unavoidable in the healthcare industry, it’s crucial to make sure that employees are appropriately educated and equipped to handle the jobs that are given to them.
Patients who have undergone surgery are followed up on by PACU nurses, or nurses who work in the post-anesthesia care unit, until they are stable enough to be discharged. Although Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification is not a requirement in all hospitals, it is becoming more and more prevalent. The ability to respond to cardiac emergencies and provide life-saving measures when necessary is ensured by ACLS certification for nurses.
A gratifying and difficult professional path is becoming a PACU nurse. In order to ensure that patients recuperate from surgery safely and efficiently, PACU nurses are essential. The work can be quite hurried, and it calls for strong communication and analytical abilities. Although the work is occasionally difficult, many PACU nurses believe it to be a rewarding career option.