[lorilou22RN]

I was not involved in this but, heard about it when I came in on Sunday. This patient was having life support withdrawn, and the CCP pushed 300mg of fentanyl, after extubation...he of course died within minutes. Now that could be considered euthenasia. (none of the nurses would push that amount, hence the doc did.)

[Suesquatch]

I think you are a kind and compassionate person and I would want you to take care of me when my times comes.

Keep them comfortable even if it does mean hastening their death (and I'm not saying this did).

[lorilou22RN]

Originally Posted by Suesquatch

I think you are a kind and compassionate person and I would want you to take care of me when my times comes.

Keep them comfortable even if it does mean hastening their death (and I'm not saying this did).

FYI OP, I think you did right too. Not a prob here. Some people in nursing wouldn't see it that way.

[neurogeek]

Double check this but I'm pretty sure that per FDA only a CRNA or MDA can use propofol on a non-intubated patient. As I'm sure you are all aware, we as RN's can't push propofol for conscious sedation. I ran into this situation a few years back: the doc wanted propofol for conscious sedation & it was a big to-do, resulting in a CRNA being at bedside to do so. The PharmD stated that it was because RN's can only use propofol on patients who have protected airways because it is an induction agent. I'm not sure if it was just our hospital policy or if he was correct so double check.

[NurseCutie]

I completly understand this. I would never give Diprovan to a non intubated pt. I can see in this instance thought that it is a very fine line about what is right or wrong. I just wanted to know what others thought of this situation. Thanks.

[ProfesseureTournesol]

The use of Diprivan is seen more and more in palliative care, especially in oncology, therefore, on non-intubated patients. It's used for conscious sedation with patients who respond poorly to benzo, or as a treatment for severe nausea and vomiting. As for who can or cannot give Diprivan to a non-intubated patient, I suggest you double-check. In my facility, we can, but its not in USA. We often have a Diprivan perf for our non-intubated patients, to be titrated according to a prescribed RASS score.
IMO, I think you did right !

[oneillk1]

Originally Posted by cardiacRN2006

Propofol has nothing to do with comfort. How sad.

Could it have been for the comfort of the family rather than the comfort of teh patient?

[skinnyNurse]

I am a new grad nurse. I have not seen someone removed from life support yet. I had no idea that this could happen (meaning the patient struggles). I am thankful for the article because it taught me something. I hope that you will go on and continue your nursing career, like everyone else has said, you will know how to prepare other families and now, thanks to you, so will I.