I had a pt on a fluid restricted diet. This pt had been in hospital for at least a couple of weeks and the fluid restriction was nothing new. The tray came without liquids on it as usual and she asked me if I would get her some coffee and milk. I told her I needed to ask the nurse in charge because of her fluid restrictions. She got really mad at me when I told her that. I asked the pt what was her understanding of why the restriction was in place and she told me why, and how it related to her health problem but was unhappy about it and said why doesn't anyone just listen to me and get me what I want?
The CNA then wrote out her totals of fluids at the meals she'd had on the board to help her understand that she'd had too much fluid already, and she still got mad about it. I told the nurse and the nurse said do not give her fluids, she's had enough today. I was then asked to remove the water pitcher because the pt's family had filled it for her. I encouraged the pt to talk to the doctor about her concerns and she said she had already that morning, but the orders were the same.
At what point does the pt have the right to refuse the diet and get the fluids she wanted, vs. the nurse's duty to follow doctor orders about the diet or fluid restrictions? I felt caught in the middle and was unsure what to do.
