What are some questionable/old-fashioned nursing interventions?

Hello all,

What are some questionable/controversial/old-fashioned Nursing actions currently in use right now? I need to find a topic to write about. I don't have a lot of clinical experiences and really don't have the ability to tell if something is old or incorrect.

The examples that I was given to help direct my search are:

1. The use of chlorahexadine vs. betadine

2. Saline flushes vs. herparin for IV locks

3. The use of saline bullets for trach/ET suctioning

As you can see, the kind of topics I need are "this vs. that" or "do vs. do not". I'm having a very hard time with my private searching and thought I would ask more experienced nurses.

Thanks!

- Brad
2. Saline flushes vs. herparin for IV locksThis topic is of particular interest to me. I work 2 jobs and each hospital has their own protocol for saline vs. heparin flushes. Interestingly enough in some areas the protocols of these hospitals are completely opposite. For instance one hospital calls for heparanized PICC line flushes and saline port flushes, and the other calls for saline PICC line flushes and heparinized port flushes. I don't know anywhere that flushes peripheral iv's with heparin. I think it would be very interesting to find what evidence based practice has to say about these matters.

I know, I find it interesting as well, but given as how that was one of the "examples", chances are I can't use it :/

Inflating the foley balloon before inserting it and when cathing-never drain more than 750cc at a time

Are there arguments against those? I know the rationales - inflating the balloon is to test if it works, and the draining thing is to prevent bladder spasms. Is there up and coming evidence against those? If there is, that would be an interesting subject.

The suctioning with saline bullets is a good one; another one where there is much controversy is wet to dry drsging's.For both or whatever you decide; do an internet search for juried articles concerning the practices. That's where you will find your evidenced based info in nursing journals or medical journals.

Why can't you drain more than 750 mls of urine from a foley. If the pt was peeing its not like they would be able to stop at 750 ccs and just hold the rest!

Quote from DarkestSamusHello all,What are some questionable/controversial/old-fashioned Nursing actions currently in use right now? I need to find a topic to write about. I don't have a lot of clinical experiences and really don't have the ability to tell if something is old or incorrect.

I've heard that putting people in trendelenberg for low BPs is no longer the in thing to do.

Quote from DarkestSamusAre there arguments against those? I know the rationales - inflating the balloon is to test if it works, and the draining thing is to prevent bladder spasms. Is there up and coming evidence against those? If there is, that would be an interesting subject.

Quote from RN2B123Why can't you drain more than 750 mls of urine from a foley. If the pt was peeing its not like they would be able to stop at 750 ccs and just hold the rest!

How about coke to unclog a feeding tube? No idea what the ruling on that would be with regards to evidence based practice but it's definitely considered an old nursing trick. I remember reading an article not so long ago regarding the need (or rather lack of need) for sterile instead of just clean technique for dressing changes.

Putting an ice bag (we have soft cloth covered ones) on a patient's throat/neck after tonsillectomies. I asked an ENT once if he wanted an ice bag on the patients neck. Just seems strange to me? He kind of smiled, shrugged, and said, "If it makes you feel better do it."