Family Members

Nurses General Nursing

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CBsMommy

825 Posts

I hate to say it, but if they're on a drip, especially if they're a hard stick, I try to get restraints.

If not, and they keep getting out of bed etc. ... Park them at the nurses' station in a recliner. If family objects, emphasize that it's for the patient's safety as you can't be in the room at all times. It's amazing how much more attention a family member pays when they're sitting there in the hall with the pt for all the world to see...or else they leave, which sometimes helps in its own way.

That's a great idea and one that I need to store in my mind for future use! Love it! Thanks!

Lifeofanurse

198 Posts

I was thinking the same thing Capecodmermaid!!! Of course my thought wasn't near as colorful or clever...

I just think there are some things that don't need to be said.

If I say "You cannot get out of bed without help, you will fall"

I certainly expect big mama's 40 yr old son who is sitting at the bedside 24/7 who lives in her basement and is requesting that we find a way to bring him a meal tray ....to actually help keep an eye on her to keep her safe.

Even on clinicals...I would enlist patient families. Actually I was told over and over to go into psych nursing...I had a way of getting information and getting the pts/families to do what I wanted...without them really realizing what I was doing...

I'm now looking for a psych position... :)

AngelfireRN, MSN, RN, APRN

2 Articles; 1,291 Posts

Specializes in med-surg, psych, ER, school nurse-CRNP.

I would absolutely have a "come to Jesus" with the family. I have had on several occasions.

I remember, as a newish nurse, having an almost catatonic elderly lady, with an NG tube and tube feeds. Over the course of 8 hours (of a 12-hour stretch), she pulled it out 3 times. 3 times, we replaced it.

Did I mention that there were 4 family present? And that all one said, when I asked after the 3rd pull-out if they wanted to let her rest until the morning (lots of blood on the NG, she was very raw in her nose), was "Well, she gots to have it, don't she?"

So we replaced it yet again, told the family to watch her and NOT let her pull it out. They refused restraints. I checked her 5 minutes later, she had both hands clamped around teh tube, pulling for all she was worth while they all watched.

I ran in and grabbed her hands, trying to get her to let go, talking to her, and all I got for my trouble was a slap from one of the family. And she got a slap back, pure reflex. And NOT ONE of them said a word, partly because of the look on my face, I'm sure, but also because my charge told them that if they pursued the issue, she would assist me in pressing charges for assault.

So, yep, I expect family to do their part, and I'm not averse to asking them to leave if they don't.

SoundofMusic

1,016 Posts

I've actually been lucky enough never to have a family be so clueless as to allow them to fall. I have had them look the other way and go in to see a NG tube pulled out.

I always educate the family, do a little reminder as I walk out -- to watch them carefully and to let them know "we really don't want him/her to fall -- because they could break something and that would really be unfortunate for them ..." sort of thing. Appeal to their best intentions ...

What I can't stand are family members who always seem to leave right at change of shift when we can't watch the patients 100% and THAT is the time when they usually fall ....always, always, they seem to have to leave at that time.

As for other traits of family members ...don't get ME started!!!!!

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