Patient Laughter, My Pain!

I was in my clinical working on a Telemetry/MedSurg Floor. About half the day had past and I along with my preceptor RN received a new admit that had already had an NG tube. He was being admitted in order to have a peg tube placed. Nurses Announcements Archive Article

Patient Laughter, My Pain!

The patient was really nice and even though he was in the hospital he did have a sense of humor. I explained to him that I was a nursing student and that I would be working along with his RN for the day. As a caretaker I try to keep the patient comfortable, content, and somewhat happy despite the situation they are in.

Well, I guess he thought he would have a little fun with me since I was a student nurse. I received all of the information needed to complete the admission and then proceeded to talk with this patient. I assist him in his new hospital clothes for the stay.

Just a little background so that this story is understood. He had previously had a head injury that left him in a diminished state. He couldn't talk very well, therefore it was hard to understand what he was saying.

Due to his state of being and the NG tube, he could only make different sounds point to what he wanted or his mother would assist with his communication since she was his caretaker at home. I gave him a pencil and a pad so that he could have another form of communication.

After about a half hour or so he proceeded to tell me that he was hungry and hadn't eaten for a while. I confirmed that I was able to feed the patient, so the RN and I prepared his liquid feed. I must say this would've been my first experience at this so I was very eager to do the task.

The feed was ready and I asked him if he was ready to eat. He smiled and shook his head "yes" while making a couple hand gestures as well as noises. His mother said "he had taken a liking to me" which made me a little more comfortable. I proceeded to check the stomach content and I began to feed him.

After I started to push in the food, the patient rolled his eyes to the back of his head, made choking sounds, and grabbed his throat as if he was actually choking!

Being that this was my first time doing this task, I was in total shock! I stood there with my mouth open, I'm sure my eyes were the size of chocolate buckeyes and I couldn't move.

The RN grabbed the tube out of my hand and the patient began making sounds saying "hahahahahahaha" and pointing at me!!!

I mean he was cracking up laughing and he had the biggest smile on his face. I was so embarrassed, but I must admit I had to laugh. I continued to feed him and his mother said Thank You.

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SheSoFine26

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that's a student experience. hehe

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