strangled by ETOH pt (long rant)

[hock1]

Had pt nasty actively hallucinating, on ETOH protocal who was restrained x4 grab my stethoscope (stupidly around my neck). He yelled he wanted to go home while he choke me with it. I had enough breath to yell out, "let go of my scope or I'll punch you in the face so hard you will go home...to your maker" It startled him enough to let me go. (not my finest nursing communication moment, didn't really care if its not proper. I enjoy living too much, just came out of my mouth without thought). Pt immediately started to pull on his central line! Now I'm trying to secure the line and call for help. Can't reach the call button. Thank God an unknown employee was in the hallway and heard my call for help and called a code. This guys hands were turning BLUE as he was pulling against the restraints so hard. On one hand I really wanted to punch his lights out, but on the other hand I didn't want him to hurt himself either. What kind of bizard thought process is that? The team got everything under control. When I came into work the next day I noticed a new pt in his room. I went "Thank you Jesus" out loud for all to hear. Then I asked, "Did they warn them upstairs?" Later that night, still restrained, he assaulted another nurse! Through talking with staff, I found out this pt is a frequent abusive flyer. As the days go by I have become ANGRY about this situation. My job as nurse is not to support psychotic drug abusing alcoholics. I give them respect and dignitiy they deserve, but in this pts case he can rot in peace for all I care. This is the first time in my life I've actually said, "he is life unworthy of life". As soon as it came out of my mouth, I was ashamed, but there it was. I'm one ticked off nurse. I've already refused to wear anything around my neck or wear my hair down. I've prayer for God to take my anger, but it just seems to be getting worse. As we were leaving...a nurse on my floor got kicked in the face by a different pt when she was emptying a foley....you guessed it another hallucinating drunk wigged out.

[redshiloh]

Yeah, that was my thought as well. A little vit A would certainly help!

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Sorry that has happened. We have at least one person withdrawing at all times on my unit, sometimes more. Add the head-injured in the mix and it gets pretty crazy. Last year I had a patient break my watch during a wicked DTs episode.

Take care.

[ICUnowOHN]

I got sucker punched one night by a sweet little old lady, weighed all of 90 lbs, and was 83 y.o. She turned into a sterotypical sundowner, and I was trying very hard to restrain her and keep her from pulling out her chest tube. I made the stupid mistake of letting her rt hand go because she was kicking one of my coworkers. She grabbed the tube and got one yank on it, then I reached for her hand and she popped me right in the mouth. I almost got out of the way, so it wasn't too much of a blow. I learned my lesson, and haven't let another pt have the opportunity.

Then there was the guy that was freaking out one night, running down the hallway, ripping out his IV, half naked, and screaming something none of could make out. I was the only guy on our unit, and I wasn't going to let one of the wonderful women I worked with get hurt, so I ran after him and literally tackled him before he could get into the stairwell. I subdued him and we " escorted " him back to his room, got an order for Haldol, and held him down to give it. It finally took effect, and we put him in 4 point restraints.

He was a nice, pleasant guy that I never thought would get violent. Another lesson learned.