What is the dumbest order you ever read?

TrudyRN · Nov 14, 2007, 08:10 PM

Originally Posted by Ruby Vee

As far as the MOM order, the student and her instructor both disappeared, and it's rumored that they left the program. The doctor is now reputedly head of the cardiology department somewhere in the midwest.

And sadly, I did not get to define dumb, ugly or attractive. I was in my 20s and about 60 pounds lighter -- I was one of the nurses who cared for the VIP, but I was NOT the one he got to sneak him out of the hospital and run away with him.

Figures.:angryfire

:angryfire

TiredMD · Nov 14, 2007, 09:05 PM

Originally Posted by elizabells

I found one today "pt is to be in room air". Yeah, you know, I was planning on intubating by myself with sats of 99 just because I was bored, but now that you've told me not to...

In my hospital we continually struggle to keep patients from being put on nasal canula, usually because the CNA taking vitals saw sats of 95% and decided to try to be helpful. I've even gone so far as to steal the oxygen hookup from the room . . .

Emmanuel Goldstein · Nov 14, 2007, 09:07 PM

Originally Posted by TiredMD

I've even gone so far as to steal the oxygen hookup from the room . . .

No offense, but not too smart.

ebear · Nov 14, 2007, 09:38 PM

Hi, TiredMD!
Welcome back! I'm sure you've never written any "dumb" orders.

ebear

TiredMD · Nov 15, 2007, 06:03 PM

Originally Posted by ebear

Hi, TiredMD!
Welcome back! I'm sure you've never written any "dumb" orders.
ebear

Of course I have. Everything is a learning process. When I'm writing orders for things I'm not too familiar with, it probably sounds pretty dumb. Even worse is when I've been up for 30hrs or more . . . completely incomprehensible what I was trying to write for in the first place. Fortunately I spend most of my time on the surgical ward, and our nurses are truly excellent at catching my screwups.

Of course, in my defense, I move services every month or two. My home department is Orthopedic Surgery; is anyone suprised I don't know the appropriate way to titrate up tube feeds or write for a stim test?

ebear · Nov 15, 2007, 06:12 PM

TiredMD,
Why do you change services every couple of months? Are you a resident? Orthopaedic surgery,ay? I've worked ortho. surg. for many moons. (OR nurse)
ebear

TiredMD · Nov 15, 2007, 09:09 PM

Originally Posted by ebear

TiredMD,
Why do you change services every couple of months? Are you a resident? Orthopaedic surgery,ay? I've worked ortho. surg. for many moons. (OR nurse)
ebear

Yes. There is no better field.

Okiecruffler · Nov 16, 2007, 02:35 AM

IS q2h when awake.

Order was on a 6 month old who was intubated. Gotta love those first year residents.

Semele · Nov 16, 2007, 03:19 AM

Originally Posted by Emmanuel Goldstein

No offense, but not too smart.

I am still hoping it was a joke. What's next take away the call light and cover the code blue light with a shelf?

Talk to the nurse aides but leave the vital necessary equipment in the room.

KarafromPhilly · Nov 16, 2007, 10:03 AM

Had a patient who was comfort care only, and I asked the doc for an order for some morphine in case she needed it to be comfortable. She asked me how to write the order and I told her what I thought was appropriate--the doc was not a native English speaker and I guess she was really tired, but I thought the end result was really cute--

"Morphine 2 mg IVP Q1-2 hr PRN for agitation or recklessness."