What is the dumbest order you ever read?

NICUNURSE · Nov 29, 2002, 10:13 AM

I want to play... I work in an NICU and we get new residents all the time. So one of our newbies (consequently the one with the biggest chip on her shoulder...) orders:

1 unit PRBC's AFAP

Okay, first of all, we don't give neonates 1 unit of ANYTHING. Second, what the heck is AFAP? Did I miss the day that we learned that abreviation in nursing school? So when I questioned her, she tell's me it means, "As fast as possible." Scary...

kahann · Nov 29, 2002, 10:21 AM

Thought the MD that wrote this one was suffering from a little insomnia:

MOM 30ccs po,prn INSOMNIA

Thought maybe we had found the lost cure for the lack of sleep that haunts us 3rd shifters!

*canoehead* · Nov 29, 2002, 12:15 PM

Banana STAT for hypokalemia. (K of 3.3)

MollyMo · Nov 29, 2002, 12:30 PM

Ambulate in hall qid. (The patient was bilateral AKA)

Audreyfay · Nov 29, 2002, 01:45 PM

My least favorite was aimed at me, 26 years ago when I was a GN: Please instruct Ms. Johnson on obtaining a stool hemoccult.

We had orders for occult bloods on stools for a particular patient. When I got into the room, the pt. had already flushed. I charted the pt. had a BM, but did not document that he did not save the stool.

So, I guess I took a hit. Funny how quickly we learn when it is traumatic learning.

swiftflyer · Nov 29, 2002, 02:07 PM

for pt rash - provalone cheese bid
what the heck?

turned out to be provon cream bid
Doc musta been hungry.....

Furball · Nov 29, 2002, 02:41 PM

Originally posted by canoehead
Banana STAT for hypokalemia. (K of 3.3)

priceless......

Cameron67 · Nov 29, 2002, 02:51 PM

This one isn't funny but shows the importance of rereading your order....

Lantus Insulin 12 units am & hs

this was discovered when Pharmacy called and inquired about the order, the RN that took the call said, "I think doc is trying something new"

I wasn't happy with this and called doc myself, doc said "no I want it given at night only!"

I don't know what happened, but be sure of funny looking and sounding orders...clarify with the doc...repeat it to him.

deespoohbear · Nov 29, 2002, 03:23 PM

Originally posted by NICUNURSE
I want to play... I work in an NICU and we get new residents all the time. So one of our newbies (consequently the one with the biggest chip on her shoulder...) orders:

1 unit PRBC's AFAP

Okay, first of all, we don't give neonates 1 unit of ANYTHING. Second, what the heck is AFAP? Did I miss the day that we learned that abreviation in nursing school? So when I questioned her, she tell's me it means, "As fast as possible." Scary...

OMG!! I don't even work with NICU babies (med-surg lifer here) and I know NOT to give a neonate an unit of blood!!

kona2 · Nov 29, 2002, 04:18 PM

Surgeon wrote, "Ambulate patient."
(Pt paraplegic/wheelchair bound).

Another doc once wrote, "Get patient Cornflakes cereal with breakfast."
(Did he really have to write that as an order?! I'm glad my years in college aren't going to waste! LOL!).

And the classics, which you've seen before & continue to haunt the charts:

~ accurate I &O (uh, ya mean I can't make it up?)

~Call MD for significant change in status (doh!)

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What is the dumbest order you ever read?

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