Using my Karate Chops in Nursing

PWMOOSE

I was called to the main desk in the OR at the beginning of my shift because there was a problem with a patient. A couple of the staff knew I took Tang Soo Do, a Korean martial art, and thought I may be of valuable assistance. Now I know what you are thinking. We had a belligerent patient who I had to take down to save another staff member. Maybe it was a hostage situation, and I had to go in like Chuck Norris and save the day with my famous roundhouse kick. It was actually something I had never imagined.

She was a sweet 87 year old Korean lady who spoke no English. Her daughter was with her in the preop area trying to help until a translator could arrive. Since I knew enough Korean from my martial arts to be dangerous, I tried to assist in keeping them as comfortable as possible before her procedure.

"Annyeong-hashimnikka!" (Formal Hello in Korean) I said as I stepped into the lady's room. She grinned and waved at me. She started to talk very quickly, and I explained to her daughter that although I was not fluent in Korean, I did know a few words and phrases. I wanted to try to help her mother through the procedure without her feeling all alone in a strange place. The daughter was very grateful that I would take the time to do such a time consuming task for her mother. I told her that no patient should ever feel alone, especially in an OR. When it was time to head for her surgery, I walked back to the OR repeating "Shio." (Relax, be calm.)

When we arrived in the OR, we got the beds lined up perfectly and the wheels locked in place. The CRNA looked at me and said, "Do your magic."

I patted the OR table and told the lady, "Ahn Jo." (Sit here)

She slid over to the table as I directed her to move her "Pahl," then her "Bahl." (Move her arms at the top, then her feet at the bottom to scoot over to the OR table.) When she was on the table and situated, I again said, "Shio." She smiled and nodded.

Until they got her off to sleep, I stayed with her and held her hand reminding her to "Shio" throughout the procedure. She chatted with me the whole time, and although I have no idea what she was saying, I could tell she was happy to have someone that could speak to her and give her simple directions she could understand. She went off to sleep quite easily.

After the procedure, I went back to be there when she awoke. She remembered me and smiled. I again said "Annyeong-hashimnikka. Shio." The CRNA took time to get her completely awake so she would be ready for her daughter to come to recovery and stay with her as well as the translator. Until then, I stayed with her and held her hand. She was sleepy from the anesthesia, but she seemed at peace knowing we were going to take good care of her and keep her safe.

After she arrived in recovery, her daughter came to sit with her, and I explained what had happened in the interim. Her mother had been through a frightening situation with someone who only spoke a little of her language. I went back to check her about an hour later, and she was getting ready to return home. She stood up and with a bow said, "Ko Map Sum Ni Da." (Thank you very much)

I returned her bow with "Chomane Yo." (You're Welcome)

I learned that even the smallest thing we do for a patient will sometimes be of the greatest help. This patient was able to go through an important and frightening procedure knowing she was not alone with a nurse who only could communicate with her using a few words learned in a karate class. It made all the difference in the world.

Using my Karate Chops in Nursing

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