Marquise - BScN (c)

cupcakern:

fuckyeahmedicalstuff:

(via zygoma, baltiks)

nursing4n00bs:

MED REVIEW MONDAY

Lipitor (aka Atorvastatin) is prescribed for patients with high cholesterol. It functions to lower the levels of overall cholesterol, LDL, triglycerides and to increase levels of HDL. It is part of a group of drugs called statins. 

Side effects: The use of this drug has been reported to cause myopathy (the dysfunction of skeletal muscle cells) - resulting in weakness. Liver function labs (AST and ALT) should be monitored regularly because the drug cannot be processed by an unhealthy liver. There are contradicting reports of memory loss resulting from use of the drug - high cholesterol is often associated with dementia, however a depletion of cholesterol may have an effect on neuron function. Grapefruit juice should not be consumed while on Lipitor, it may lead to toxicity. 

Lipitor is a very popular, kind of expensive drug. In 2008 it was the top selling brand-name drug in the world and grossed over 12 billion USD. Pfizer totally had the monopoly on cardiac disease prevention, but all good things must come to an end. When Lipitor’s patent was up in June 2011, Pfizer managed to buy another 5 months (not quite sure who approved of this ethically questionable business deal). On November 30th, the generic version hits pharmacies.

Womp, womp. Sorry, pharmaceutical industry ;)  

nursing4n00bs:

CELEBRITY SATURDAY: The show must go on!

Marfan syndrome is a genetic disorder with a variety of identifiable clinical features. It is passed on through a dominant gene. It strongly affects the development of connective tissue. Signs include:

• Body type: above average height, slender limbs, long fingers and toes. 
• Eye problems: myopia (nearsightedness), astigmatism, dislocation of the lens or detachment of the retina.
• Cardiovascular problems: degeneration of the valves, mitral valve prolapse, aortic regurgitation, dilated aorta, aortic aneurysm, poor circulation (resulting in cold hands and feet).
• Lungs: at risk for spontaneous pneumothorax and sleep apnea
• Central Nervous System: dural ectasia (the weakening of the membrane that encases the spinal cord)

There is no cure for Marfan syndrome; just treating each symptom as it arises and monitoring cardiovascular health/other risks.

Jonathan Larson, the playwright responsible for the musical RENT, suffered from undiagnosed Marfan syndrome. He died at age 35 of an aortic dissection the day before opening night of the play. 

scienceside:

The Phases of Study

…aka, the vicious cycle

nursing4n00bs:

TRICKY THURSDAY

Here’s a rhyme to help you figure out what to do when someone has experienced an episode of syncope: 

If the face is red, raise the head. If the face is pale, raise the tail. 

(I actually got to use this today when someone fainted at Thanksgiving! w00t)