Brain power with tDCS

At long last, scientist are in the process of creating a metaphorical battery to help power up the brain! Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation, or tDCS, uses a low amperage electrical current delivered directly to the scalp and stimulates the surface of the neocortex.  This electrical current can then be used as a neuromodulator to excite or inhibit specific brain functions.  This can then be used to alter mood, cognition, and/or behavior!  By using electrical stimulation scientist are able to either reduce the firing rate of neurons or increase the strength and quality of the neuronal connections in the brain.  When paired with a learning activity to increase or decrease a certain ability or behavior.  By adding this extra “juice” to the brain, the neuronal connections that are being formed help create sustained changes in mood, cognition, or behavior because it induces neural plasticity!  This can be controlled by placing one electrode over the target brain area and the other electrode, where the current leaves the body from, at a different region of the brain or a neutral place like the person’s shoulder.  The cerebral blood flow of the test subjects have been measured and reveal that positive currents increase blood flow by approximately 18-25% while the negative currents decrease blood flow by about 52%, thereby proving a physiological change has occurred.  Though the changes in blood flow are merely transient, data suggests that test subjects perform better at performing complex visual tasks than the control group.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5058330/

Reflective Journal

NUR 201 Simulation Lab Reflective Journal

Name: _Tabitha Carpenter ________________________

Reflective Journal: To be completed individually and turned in the Thursday after your simulation rotation.

1.   Discuss 4 tasks you completed or tried to complete in simulation lab

O2 administer via non rebreather mask, Blood drawn for BMP/Dig levels, wound culture done from heel of right foot, transferred pt. from chair to bed

2. What did you learn most about the situation(s) you encountered in simulation lab? It is important to pay close attention to detail when performing task and recognizing the problem and fixing it.

3. What will you do differently during your next simulation experience? Pay close attention to label for any labs/cultures that need to be drawn. Ensure that they are labeled properly with correct birth date, time, and if culture is ordered be specific on what part of the body the culture is from

4. While watching your peers’ simulation experience, what are 3 things you learned? The importance of the six rights of med administration and how important it is to triple check meds before administration, Communication among each other is important, better communication skills may help prevent errors. Also, if you did not pull a med do not administer it.

5. What 3 things did you learn in the classroom (didactic) that you put into practice during your simulation experience?  Explain the importance of a proper diet, elevated head of bed to high fowlers with pillow tucked behind head to help with breathing, elevated lower extremities to reduce swelling

Hi Tabitha