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Hematometra, otherwise known as hemometra is a condition in which blood is collected and retained in the uterus, commonly the result of an imperforate hymen or transverse vaginal septum. The physical obstruction of menstrual blood from the uterus causes a significant back up of menstrual blood over time, which can cause the uterus to enlarge, putting pressure on other pelvic organs, similar to in the case of hematocolpos. For this reason, the condition tends to worsen to longer the patient prolongs seeking medical…

Hematocolpos is a gynaecological condition in which the vagina fills with menstrual blood, often secondary to an imperforate hymen1. It is often seen in patients who also suffer from Robinow syndrome, double uterus and other congenital conditions. The condition can become severe in nature as the menstrual blood has no way to escape and may grow to take up the majority of the pelvic cavity (fig, 1), making urination and voiding of bowels difficult1. the condition may go unnoticed for some time, with a delayed menarche often…

There comes a time when some nurses are just sick of the day to day dramas of dealing patients and their families. But is there anything a nurse can do that doesn't involve dealing directly with patients? Of course there is! Nurses have established themselves in almost all aspects of the healthcare system, from face-to-face patient interactions, through to laboratory and executive roles, nurses are everywhere! You can read about the roles of nurses in Australia for a better idea of the levels of nurse employment and…

A double uterus, otherwise known as a uterus didelphys is a congenital uterine defect causing a bifurcation of the lumen of the uterus. It is considered a very rare condition, occurring in only 0.1-0.5% of women in the US, however, this is considered under representative as many women may remain asymptomatic, resulting in nondetection of the condition. Women with the condition may experience dysmenorrhea and dyspareunia3. The majority of cases remain asymptomatic with no obvious signs of abnormality, however, some women may…

We see them all the time in medical TV shows and movies, or if you've ever been unfortunate enough to land yourself in the emergency department of a hospital, you've likely seen the patient monitor screen, or the machine that's always beeping about something! But what do all the sounds and squiggly lines mean? In this article, we'll look at each of the body's vital signs and how they're interpreted through the patient monitor. First, it is important to understand that vitals signs form a cohesive picture of the vital…

Nurses come in all shapes and sizes, with wildly varied skills and specialities and differing levels of education and training. It is important for the practicing nurse to understand the differences between each level of nurse, and understand the associated level of education that nurse has received. Nurses have received increasing levels of continued education to fill gaps in the healthcare system, and alongside these continued training systems, new advanced practice roles have developed for the nurse to…

An intussusception is a generally acute condition in which a section of the intestine folds into the section next to it. Cases will often involve the small intestine, however cases involving the large intestine do occur. Patients may present with abdominal pain, vomiting, abdominal bloating and blood in the stool. An Intussusception is not considered life threatening unless it has been allowed to develop, or otherwise remained untreated for some time. The mechanics of intussusception often result in occlusion…

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) - also known as Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (COLD) - is a chronic inflammation of the lungs that causes obstruction of airflow1 and ineffective airway clearance. It is commonly caused by distinct disease processes such as Emphysema and Chronic Bronchitis. COPD is generally caused by long-term exposure to irritating gasses or particulate matter such as those produced by cigarette smoke1. Asthma: Also known as Chronic Reactive Airway Disease is characterised by…

A bezoar is persistent concretion of indigestible material trapped in the gastrointestinal system1. They can be composed of either organic or inorganic materials. It is important not to confuse a bezoar with a psudeobezoar, which is an indugestible object intentionally introduced into the digestive system3. This may be done for treatment reasons, or otherwise may be sself-inflictedby the patient. Bezoars of the esophagus are common in younger children. Esophageal bezoars are also reported in patients who are…

A pharmacobezoar, otherwise known as a medication bezoar is a persistent concretion of pharmaceutical products within the gastrointestinal tract14. They are commonly found following the intentional overdose of sustained-release medications. A bezoar is a concretion of foreign material that can form and persist within the gastrointestinal tract. A bezoar should not be confused with a pseudobezoar, which refers to an indigestible object intentionally introduced into the gastrointestinal tract3. …