PBDS rules

Does anyone know if you are able to use abbreviations on the PBDS? I just wrote out interventions and rationales for about 25 scenarios but I'm afraid I'm a bit lengthy (even though I'm told they want as much info as possible). I might save time by using resp. (respirations), T, C, D/B , CXR, w/ , etc. instead of typing everything out. Does anyone know if this is okay? I take the test on Tuesday. Also, I've seen "POst-Op" a few times on this site for the PBDS as a scenario. DOes anyone know if there is a specific post-op complications? SO far I have aspiration, pneumonia, hypovolemic shock, pneumothorax, bladder distention, and colon perforation that I guess could all fall in this category. Not sure if that's what is meant by this. Thanks!
When I took the test I used abbreviations and passed. The abbreviations I used were ones for labs and such.

Quote from nursenick20When I took the test I used abbreviations and passed. The abbreviations I used were ones for labs and such.

Thanks! I had those complications for post-op too. I'm really worried about this whole time thing, because I keep messing up while I'm typing them out. It says we only have 5-7 mins to type our response and I've been doing about 6.5 for all of the one's I've timed. What was the format of your responses? This is what I have for one... interventions on the left, rationales on the right (this is for dig toxicity)Version:1.0 StartHTML:0000000182 EndHTML:0000008247 StartFragment:0000003060 EndFragment:0000008211 SourceURL:file://localhost/Users/rebeccalowe/Desktop/Official/PBDS%20SG.doc Ensure airway patencyAssesss-LOC-BP, pulse, Respirations, O2 sats-Headache/ changes in visual field (halo, yellow), N/V3. Stay with pt and call MD STAT; inform of assess data4. Anticipate orders-Hold digoxin-Digoxin level drawn STAT-cardiac monitoring-Digibind STAT (if warranted)-BUN/ Creatinine-Cardiac Enzymes-IVF -Oxygen5. Ongoing-Bed rest-Reassure pt and family-BP, pulse, respirations, O2 sats q 4 hoursassure pt manages own airway-May be decreased for toxicity-assess pt status-side effects from digoxin toxicity, tell MD3. MD needs to know this to write orders4. -this is the cause of symptoms-further assessment of issue-may cause electrical problems in heart-the antidote for digoxin-assess kidney function-assess heart function-Replace fluids and electrolytes-incerase oxygenation5. -safety; decrease metabolic needs-decrease anxiety-assess for status change

so the format didnt come out quite right.....basically I assessed immediate life threatening issues first, performed life saving measures, then called the MD STAT , wrote down what they might order, then I wrote down ongoing nursing actions

Wow, you get to type it out? I am soooooo jealous! IIRC we had some pre-printed answer forms that were formatted similar to yours. Something like columns for assessment, intervention, and rationale. They gave us those forms with the practice videos.

Yeah, no practice videos for me. I haven't really gotten anything. I just hope I'm answering it in the way and format that will let me pass . Some people I've seen call the dr first then just include the assessment stuff within telling them that, I've just always been taught assess before implement. So I've been writing down assessment first then calling the DR. I guess thats just how I think.

Quote from CrazyCatLadyRNYeah, no practice videos for me. I haven't really gotten anything. I just hope I'm answering it in the way and format that will let me pass . Some people I've seen call the dr first then just include the assessment stuff within telling them that, I've just always been taught assess before implement. So I've been writing down assessment first then calling the DR. I guess thats just how I think.