You know you're a neuro nurse if.....

Specialties Neuro

Published

I was inspired by the looonngggg "you know you're a nurse if..." thread on the Nursing Humor forum, and thought we could do one based on our specialty. Here's a few I came up with and please feel free to add on!

You know you're a Neuro nurse if:

Your favorite patient is a GCS=3 and an orphan.

Along with standing orders for Dilantin and Decadron, you also have orders for restraints and Propofol.

If anyone in your family hits their head, the first thing you do is grab a penlight and check their pupils.

Every time you get a bad headache, you're sure you've either had an aneurysm rupture or have got a brain tumor.

You've ever referred to visiting hours as "inspection."

You give out points for creativity on patients that find new ways to swear at you.

You've ever had a patient proposition you or make sexually explicit comments right in front of his 80-year-old grandmother.

You've given a patient a 6 on motor (follows commands) when they stuck up both of their middle fingers at you when you asked them to "hold up two fingers."

You've heard your unit referred to as the "vegetable patch."

You wish you had a dollar for everytime you've heard from another nurse, "Neuro! I HATE neuro!"

:lol2:

Specializes in Neuro/Trauma SICU.

You know your a Neuro RN when:

You SDH patient's BP sky rockets and their heart rate goes to about 180 and your first thought is "better get some Atropine"

Specializes in neuro, ICU/CCU, tropical medicine.

Been there, done that.

You know you're a neuro nurse if...

You've ever said, "Oh don't worry about it, he's just having a seizure."

You've ever come to the uncomfortable realization that there are some people who really don't want to hear about GSW to the head.

If you're ever had to explain to a neurosurgeon that your patient's bizarre behavior is a seizure.

:yeah:

You know you're a neuro nurse if you're frustrated when you notice a drop in your patient's GCS, you inform the doctor and when he goes into the patient's room and asks the patient how they are, they mumble, 'I'm good thanks'. :angryfire

You know you're a neuro nurse when you patient tells you that you're a babe, you're beautiful and they love you while you turn a patient and change his pad, and your non-nursing friends cringe or say 'that's gross' when you laugh and tell them about it.

You SDH patient's BP sky rockets and their heart rate goes to about 180 and your first thought is "better get some Atropine"

Please explain this. Just curious as im a cardiac nurse and atropine is def not what I would be reaching for!

....Your favorite patient is a GCS=3 and an orphan.....

:lol2:

You don't have to be a neuro nurse for this to be your favorite type of pt- you just have to be a nurse.:lol2:

You find yourself using the phrase, "You have a tube in your bladder" over 100 times in a shift in respones to your patients frantic "I NEED TO PEE!" diatribe.

This happens in nursing homes w/ demented pts, too. It drives me crazy.

Specializes in SICU, Burn Unit, PACU, CCU.
You SDH patient's BP sky rockets and their heart rate goes to about 180 and your first thought is "better get some Atropine"

Please explain this. Just curious as im a cardiac nurse and atropine is def not what I would be reaching for!

this is because most pre-crash/code patients usually goes ballistics with their V/S before going into cardiac arrest.. I usually see patients going tachycardic (with accompanying arryhtyhmias or just tachy) before going into cardiac arrest or becoming bradycardic.. ayt?! so go reach for that atropine or maybe epinephrine perhaps... :bugeyes:

Specializes in Neuro/Trauma SICU.
You SDH patient's BP sky rockets and their heart rate goes to about 180 and your first thought is "better get some Atropine"

Please explain this. Just curious as im a cardiac nurse and atropine is def not what I would be reaching for!

Typically before someone herniates their brainstem their HR with go through the roof along with their blood pressure. Your first instinct is to grab some labetalol, but if you push it you will be sorry in a few minutes. They will brady down shortly after usually.

...you can ID neurobreath in one whiff.

...you seriously consider contacting your PCP for a CT any time you have a bad headache, get a bump on the head, slip and fall, etc.

Specializes in MSN, FNP-BC.
When the creative commercials for Listerine Strips give you ideas of how to deal with "neuro breath".

I realize this isn't neuro related but that may also apply to the breath of someone with a severe SBO as well! Peweee!!!!!!:chuckle:chuckle:chuckle

You've been hit on by more guys with TBIs than without.

Specializes in Critical Care.
Typically before someone herniates their brainstem their HR with go through the roof along with their blood pressure. Your first instinct is to grab some labetalol, but if you push it you will be sorry in a few minutes. They will brady down shortly after usually.

Atropine don't work on the brain dead patient.

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