10 Most Common Medical Issues Nurses Have to Treat

There are some medical conditions that will come up frequently in the life of a nurse. These issues or conditions are bound to be a part of a nurse’s career at some point in time.

1. Pregnancy: Though not a condition per se, nurses will inevitably have to help treat a pregnant woman or two during their careers. This is a great learning experience and one that often comes when out in public when the need arises. Being able to stay calm under pressure and helping a woman during an important phase like this is crucial.
2. Giving IV’s: Every nurse has to master giving a patient an IV. This means that they have to be good at finding veins and giving the IV without putting the patient in pain. This can be tough, but it’s a learned skill that will really help a nurse to do well in their career.
3. Infections: Whether after surgery or as a result of some sort of injury, this is something that every nurse will have to treat. They will often be the one to diagnose it or find it, and they will inevitably have to handle the treatment aspect of it as well.
4. The Flu: Perhaps it’s because the flu comes up every year and is so wide spread, but a nurse can expect to have to treat these common symptoms. Nurses will come into contact with some patients who might not need much and some who are unbelievably sick as a result of the flu setting in.
5. Dehydration: As this is a condition that most doctor’s leave to nurses, this will be common at some point in the career. Patients will often need an IV and some simply hydration, but it’s important that a nurse know how to properly handle it.
6. Abdominal Pain: There are so many reasons why a patient may experience abdominal pain. Due to the fact that it is so very common, nurses will have to treat it and also diagnose it. It’s important to recognize that some abdominal pain is normal and some is indicative of something more serious.
7. Constipation: Nurses will often have to help patients who are seriously constipated. This often comes up after surgery, but it can really cause a patient pain. Though it may not seem like a big deal, the relief that a nurse can provide is quite valuable.
8. Dressing Wounds: If a patient comes in with an injury, the nurse will be the first line of defense. If a patient has surgery, the nurse will help to heal them. No matter what the injury or nature of the wound, a nurse must be able to handle it with ease and integrity and dress it properly.
9. Depression: Though it may seem hard to believe, nurses are often the ones to recognize depression in their patients. This may be due to a serious illness or as a result of a surgery, and nurses have to be very in tune to recognize it and seek out proper treatment for their patients.
10. Severe Headaches: Sometimes a headache is a headache, and sometimes it’s something more serious. Whatever the reason, a headache in a patient can be debilitating. Nurses have to keep an eye out to ensure it’s not a result of something else or that other symptoms aren’t present.

Nurses have a lot to contend with and therefore it’s quite important to always be aware. These conditions are so common and yet require a lot of effort on the part of a nurse.

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