Published
A few threads latley have had tittles that got me all excited to read the juicy "gossip", only to be very disappointed or think the OP was a little on the the nutty side. So I thought we could share our juicy "I can't believe the nurse did...."? I can think of one time responding to a code white in mental health, where the pts nurse was egging him on "oh, your going to kill me, well I'd like you to try. Come on, let's have it. You wanted a problem, well now you have one" and other very unhelpful things. I can see why the pt got so angry. Someone had to make leave. Can't believe she works in mental health.
Then there was the patient we sent to the floor from the ICU who bounced back pretty damn fast after the nurse there read the order to replace NG drainage with NS IV q4 hours a pretty standard thing at that time-- you measure the NG output, then put an equivalent amount of NS in the volutrol. Alas for him, this bimbo took the drainage from the NG suction cannister, measured it, missed the part about the NS, and put the gastric drainage itself in the volutrol to infuse into his central line. Can you say, instant acidosis? [/quote']I think I just threw up a little bit...good lord!!
When I was a student nurse many moons ago, our class was regaled with the tale of the nurse who administered either Maalox or MOM in an infant's IV. The baby's arm eventually had to be amputated. The nurse wound up losing her job and license.
That may have been an urban legend, but we took it for gospel at the time.
UNfortunately it happens all the time......many patients have had untoward outcomes when tube feeding instead of lipids were hung on IV lines.When I was a student nurse many moons ago, our class was regaled with the tale of the nurse who administered either Maalox or MOM in an infant's IV. The baby's arm eventually had to be amputated. The nurse wound up losing her job and license.That may have been an urban legend, but we took it for gospel at the time.
Once upon a time, I misread an order for CaCO3 in tabs instead of grains... gave 5 tabs and ordered more, thinking I needed 10. I had JUST graduated.
Thankfully, the doc and patient had a sense of humor. Doc didn't even do a QA, and the patient said his bones felt stronger already.
My NM didn't fuss, either...seeing me poring over my dosage calculation workbook in tears was enough for her.
I was mortified. But that was thankfully the worst mistake I've ever made (knock wood).
Why?????
So many medications are dispensed as single dose medications that she assumed the patient was supposed to get all of those little tiny pills instead of just one.
Another favorite: a new grad administered k+ to a dialysis patient upon the request of an intern (intern!) without a written order. She gave 40 po and then proceeded to run in almost an entire 40 meq bag into patient in less than an hour. Never checked the k, never requested a written order, never bothered looking up how to administer iv k+, Never forget her sobbing over her computer on her first and last day off orientation.
...Another favorite: a new grad administered k+ to a dialysis patient upon the request of an intern (intern!) without a written order. She gave 40 po and then proceeded to run in almost an entire 40 meq bag into patient in less than an hour...
I saw a brand spanking new intern hear his attending say make sure the pt had 80 meq of K repleated before he left and proceed to give it IVP.I had a student push Lasix into an arterial line by accident once as well.
OH MY GOD! I hope someone stopped them!!
smartnurse1982
1,775 Posts
Well,I stated that I was a cna at the time,and I saw the nurse do that.I even said in my first line"When I was a Cna,a nurse....".I don't get others reading skills.....