Nurses Zone Documentary

13/01/2026

DYSENTERY

By Chipo James Mainda

Dysentery is an acute or chronic inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract affecting the intestine, especially the colon, caused by the shigella bacteria and entamoeba histolytica protozoa, that results in severe diarrhea containing mucus and/or blood in f***s with fever, pain on passing stool, foul smelling stool and abdominal pain. Dysentery is transmitted via f***l oral route.

The gastrointestinal tract is made up of the alimentary canal, a tube running from the mouth to the a**s. Normally, digestion begins when food is taken into the mouth through the process called mastication. The food or water is then swallowed passing through the esophagus into the stomach. In the stomach, chemical digestion continues to breakdown large particles into smaller particles for easy absorption. From the stomach, food will be directed into the intestines for absorption of necessary nutrients, then unwanted substances will be removed from the body through the a**s.

Humans may get the infection by ingesting food or water contaminated by f***s from carriers of the bacteria.The spread of dysentery is more common in poor hygienic conditions.The ingested bacteria will pass the stomach acid barrier and multiply very rapidly in the intestines where they produce toxins.These toxins cause severe inflammation of the mucosal lining of the colon.The organism generally infects the epithelial cells of the terminal ileum and colon and multiplies inside them. In bacillary dysentery, the shigella enters the gastrointestinal tract and invades the large intestines causing inflammation of the mucosa layer.This will lead to ulceration and bleeding of the mucosa layer of the colon which will result in blood stained and mucoid stool. In the later stage, pus forms due to infection, and adjacent lymph nodes may be affected resulting into fever.

The pathophysiology for amoebic dysentery is similar to that of bacillary dysentery, but it does not usually cause ulcers in the intestines. Once the protozoa (entamoeba histolytica) is ingested, it will form cysts in the intestines and then enter the intestinal wall and intestinal mucosal through the mesenteric artery. Through the bloodstream, the protozoa will reach the liver causing total destruction of the liver thus causing hepato cellular necrosis and then liver abscess. It also affects the spleen and lungs as well as the brain and other organs as the protozoa spreads.

12/01/2026

Mulekutika?

11/01/2026

Your patient who has been in a comma is now in a full stop.⚰️

11/01/2026

THE PLACENTA

By Chipo James Mainda

The placenta is a temporary fetal organ that begins developing from the blastocyst shortly after implantation. It plays critical roles in facilitating nutrient, gas and waste exchange between the physically separate maternal and fetal circulations, and is an important endocrine organ producing hormones that regulate both maternal and fetal physiology during pregnancy.

The placenta connects to the baby via the umbilical cord, and on the opposite aspect to the maternal uterus in a species dependent manner. In humans, a thin layer of maternal decidual (endometrial) tissue comes away with the placenta when it is expelled from the uterus following birth (sometimes incorrectly referred to as the 'maternal part' of the placenta).

The placenta begins to develop upon implantation of the blastocyst into the maternal endometrium. The outer layer of the blastocyst becomes the trophoblast, which forms the outer layer of the placenta. This outer layer is divided into two further layers;
* Cytotrophoblast
* Syncytiotrophoblast

The placenta grows throughout pregnancy. Development of the maternal blood supply to the placenta is complete by the end of the first trimester of pregnancy.

The placenta intermediates the transfer of nutrients between the mother and fetus. The perfusion of the intervillous spaces of the placenta with maternal blood allows the transfer of nutrients and oxygen from the mother to the fetus and the transfer of waste products and carbon dioxide back from the fetus to the maternal blood. Nutrient transfer to the fetus can occur via both active and passive transport.

To be continued....

For more join our daily online lessons on Whatsapp 0977353901.

10/01/2026

VAGINITIS

By Chipo James Mainda

Vaginitis is an inflammation of the va**na that can result in discharge, itching and pain.
Vaginitis is usually caused by a change in the normal balance of va**nal bacteria, an infection or reduced oestrogen levels after menopause and some skin disorders also can cause vaginitis. Vaginitis is a very common disease affecting millions of women each year.

Factors that increase the risk of developing vaginitis include:
* Hormonal changes, such as those associated with pregnancy, birth control pills or menopause
* Sexual activity
* Having a s*xually transmitted infection
* Medications, such as antibiotics and steroids
* Use of spermicides for birth control
* Uncontrolled diabetes
* Use of hygiene products such as va**nal spray or va**nal deodorant
* Douching
* Wearing damp or tight-fitting clothing

The most common types of vaginitis are:
* Bacterial vaginosis. This results from an overgrowth of the bacteria naturally found in the va**na, which upsets the natural balance and is the most common type of vaginitis.
* Yeast infections. These are usually caused by a naturally occurring fungus called Candida albicans.
* Trichomoniasis. This is caused by a parasite and is often s*xually transmitted.
Treatment depends on the type of vaginitis you have.

Vaginitis signs and symptoms can include:
* Change in color, odor or amount of discharge from the va**na
* Vaginal itching or irritation
* Pain during s*x
* Painful urination
* Light va**nal bleeding or spotting
If you have va**nal discharge, the characteristics of the discharge might indicate the type of vaginitis you have. Examples include:
* Bacterial vaginosis. You might develop a grayish-white, foul-smelling discharge. The odor, often described as a fishy odor, might be more obvious after s*x.
* Yeast infection. The main symptom is itching, but you might have a thick white discharge that resembles cottage cheese.
* Trichomoniasis. This infection can cause a greenish-yellow, sometimes frothy discharge.

Good hygiene might prevent some types of vaginitis from recurring and relieve some symptoms:
* Practice good hygiene by keeping va**nal area clean.
* Avoid douching and irritating agents.
* Avoid tight jeans and panty hose without a cotton crotch.
* Practice safe s*x.
* Avoid spreading bacteria from re**um to the va**na by wiping from front to back after using the toilet.

For more join our daily online lessons on WhatsApp 0977353901

10/01/2026

Join our group wetata

09/01/2026

SICKLE CELL DISEASE

By Chipo James Mainda

Sickle cell disease is a severe, chronic and hereditary condition of the blood in which there is change in the normal round shape/structure of the red blood cells turning into sickled/crescent or moon like shape, resulting in obstruction of the capillaries and haemolysis leading to tissue hypoxia, characterized by pallor, chest and joint pain and swelling of the hand and feet.

Normally, each normal haemoglobin (a protein molecule that carries oxygen to all parts of the body found in the red blood cell) is composed of 4 Globin molecules (2 beta and 2 alpha globin molecules) present in HbA which is a normal haemoglobin. Due to this, the red blood cells maintain the round shape and furthermore allows the red blood cells to freely pass through the capillaries without any difficulties in order to deliver oxygen and nutrients to all parts of the body.

Now in sickle cell disease, the 2 beta globin molecules are affected and misshapen due to mutation changes as a result of displacement of Glutamic Acid normally found in the normal red blood cells by Valine Acid which is abnormal. Because of this mutation changes, the haemoglobin in the red blood cells will now be called HbS and not HbA.

This sickled haemoglobin HbS it is the same that causes the normal round shape of the red blood cells to change into sickled shape. Other than that, this abnormal red blood cells become rigid, rough and stiffen inside the capillaries to aggregate/clump together to block normal blood flow to parts of the body. Hence now the patient will present with joint and chest pain, pallor, cyanosis and in severe cases may lead to sickle cell crisis.

The abnormal red blood cells may also be destroyed earlier than their normal life span of 120 days leading to hemolytic anaemia and jaundice because of accumulation of bilirubin. Due to all these effects the patient will have tissue hypoxia, fatigue and shock leading to death.

For more join our daily online lessons on WhatsApp 0977353901.

09/01/2026

08/01/2026

UMBILICAL CORD KNOT INJURIES

A nuchal cord birth injury occurs when the umbilical cord becomes wrapped around a baby's neck. The umbilical cord connects an infant to its mother while inside the womb. It can wrap itself around a baby's neck in single, double, and more loops.

There are 2 types of knots that can form in a fetus's umbilical cord:
1. True knots
2. False knots

FALSE KNOTS

Also known as Pseudoknots.
These “knots” are actually slight variations in the cord’s anatomy, usually formed by swollen blood vessels or an excessive covering of Wharton’s jelly.

Small pseudoknots are relatively common in pregnancies. They can’t be untangled but luckily, they have no clinical significance and do not present a danger to the fetus.

TRUE KNOT

Like the name, a true knot forms when the umbilical cord loops or interweaves around itself. They can form during pregnancy (when the baby’s active and moves around in the amniotic fluid) and during birth. By definition, these cords can be manually untangled because they’re knotted on the outside of the umbilical cord.

If umbilical cord gets a knot early on, the fetus's growth and future movements can tighten the knot, squeezing off blood and oxygen to the baby. True knots get more dangerous the closer a fetus gets to birth, and in a worse-case scenario can cause asphyxia, leading to brain damage or death.

RISK FACTOR to having True knots
Some factors that seem to lead to the formation of true knots include:

•Older mother
•Small baby
•Active baby
•Long umbilical cord
•Excessive amniotic fluid
•Second or subsequent pregnancy
•Multiple babies in utero

MANAGEMENT
Ultrasound, Doppler ultrasound can assist in identifying knots early on.

If diagnosed, constant monitoring of the fetus is important (Fetal heart rate, Fetal movement). Emergency is recommended if the fetus progress is not good.

For more join our daily online lessons on Whatsapp 0977353901.

07/01/2026

CHANGE IN LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT

By Chipo James Mainda

The word "Change" refers to making something different from the way it was originally. But when we say "Change Management", we mean the introduction of a new process in an organization and managing people who're experiencing change. However, "Organizational Change" is the movement of an organization away from it's present state toward something like desired future.

Change maybe planned or unplanned. There are theories of change that are used to bring about planned change. The most famous theory was done by Kurt Lewing, hence called "Kurt Lewing's Change Theory"

Kurt's theory is widely used in nursing and involves three stages;
* Unfreezing stage
* Moving stage
* Refreezing stage

The first stage is Unfreezing.
In this phase, an individual will sense a problem and the need to solve that problem in a different way. Here, discussions occur on changes that might be done to solve the problem. For example, an individual will encouter a problem of rapid transmission of COVID-19. He/She will be prompted to do something new to reduce the high transmission rate of the disease.

In the second stage called "moving", this is where now an individual will try to find out some new alternatives solutions to solve the problem in a different way. After that, the individual will put the same alternative solutions into action. For example, he will then come up with some new alternative ways of reducing the high transmission rate of COVID-19 such as by putting on face masks, washing of hands frequently and maintaining social distance.

During the last stage, "Refreezing", this is where now an individual is satisfied with the results of his/her solutions. In this stage, people are now comfortable with the change made. Here, new patterns become stabilized and get integrated in the individual's life. No need of forcing people here now to put on face masks because they all understand the benefits of doing that for example.

It is important to understand that changes are disturbing to those affected, and resistance may often develop.

For more join our daily online lessons on Whatsapp 0977353901.

07/01/2026

MALARIA

By Chipo James Mainda.

Malaria is a protozoa Infection of the red blood cells but with general effects on the body caused by a genus plasmodium species that is transmitted by an infected anopheles mosquito, characterized by regular cycles of chills, nausea and vomiting and fever.

The whole process begins when a pregnant infected anopheles mosquito seeking blood to nourish her developing eggs obtain a blood meal from human but in rare cases from other animals as well. During a blood meal, it will inject parasites into the bloodstream of the victim called SPOROZOITES.

The sporozoites will circulate in the bloodstream until it reaches the liver where it will lodge there and start multiplying. During this process, the name will change from SPOROZOITES TO SHIZONTS. After about 6-14 days,the shizonts will be released back into the bloodstream and hence the name will change again from SHIZONTS TO MEROZOITES.

Now in the bloodstream, the merozoites will attack and infect the red blood cells.The merozoites will invade the walls of the red blood cells and form a ring like structures inside the RBCs.Here again the name will change from MEROZOITES TO TROPHOZOITES. The trophozoites inside the red blood cells will undergo further maturation and the name again change from TROPHOZOITES TO SHIZONTS.

Now the multiplying shizonts in the red blood cells will cause the rupture of the red blood cells and these shizonts will be released again into the bloodstream where it will be called MEROZOITES again and not schizonts. It is at this stage that the patient will start now experiencing signs and symptoms of malaria due to destruction of the red blood cells. At this stage, the released merozoites from the infected red blood cells will seek out uninfected red blood cells and infect them.

Others will further mature into GAMETOCYTES (female and male malaria parasites). So the next time uninfected anopheles mosquito will obtain a blood meal from this infected individual, she too becomes infected with the parasites. She will ingest gametocytes from the infected individual which will then undergo fertilization in the mosquito's stomach to form A ZYGOTE THEN OOCYST.

The oocysts will migrate to the inner lining of the mosquito's stomach and produces parasites called SPOROZOITES which will also move from the mosquito's stomach and into the salivary glands of the mosquito. So next time this infected anopheles mosquito will take a blood meal, sporozoites will be transmitted.

For more lessons join our daily online lessons on WhatsApp 0977353901.