has a patient ever physically hurt you during labor

bagladyrn, RN · Jan 16, 2003

Yes, I have had pts. do that. I don't say anything to a tight grip on my hand that may leave marks, but in an adult, hitting, biting and scratching are unacceptable and usually a form of "temper tantrum"or dramatics to impress onlookers with "what she's going through". I let them know this firmly, immediately. Simply "Stop that now - that is not allowed." This generally gets good results. I've been told repeatedly that I seem to have that "mother" voice that gets through.

I did have one very inebriated and out of control pt (>350 lbs., 8cm. and trying to get out of bed and leave!) who deliberately took a swing at me (not during a contraction) I explained to her that this constituted a danger both to herself and others and if she didn't stop immediately, I would get an order for restraints. She stopped, obviously able to control herself.

mark_LD_RN · Jan 16, 2003

I usually try to do that and it works this one just was out of control. the nursery nurse kept telling her to stop hitting me. at the moment I really could not do much else. but she did write a nice letter to the manager tell her what a great nurse I was to her . I feel better now my arm is healed:)

mother/babyRN, RN · Jan 16, 2003

Once was beaten up by the intoxicated grandmother (really) of a patient who lost an 18 week pregnancy. She and her significant other were from warring drug families ( a modern Romeo and Juliet)...Security wouldn't even come up. Have been stabbed by a nailfile while doing a fundal check on a section (the only one more surprised than me was the pt- I think it was a reflex) AND,aside from the usual biters and hitters (which I tell them right off I will not tolerate), I do recall once a pt in the throes of pushing grabbed me by my stethescope so tightly that I couldn't exchange air...Thankfully the doc noticed and told her to unhand the nurse or he would not deliver her.....

SmilingBluEyes · Jan 16, 2003

NO and if they look like they might, i set limits VERY quickly. So far, so good, I recognize the ones who may get violent and back off.....and I tell them what will and will NOT be tolerated from early on.

WE did have one kick a dr off his stool, filthy language spewing from her filthy mouth. (it was baby number 7). He threw off his garb, and walked out. She says, where the HELL is he going? He said "woman when you get control of yourself, AND clean up your sewer mouth, I will deliver your baby. Until then, you are on YOUR OWN!" And then he walked downstairs to get food. Took about 10 minutes. She straighted up PDQ.:roll

SmilingBluEyes · Jan 16, 2003

Originally posted by mark_LD_RN
I was just curious how often and to what extent this happens to other labor nurses. I have been hit kicked ,bite, scratched,etc.

most recently had a patient that repeatedly hit me in the shoulderwhile we tried to hold her legs in mcroberts manuever, and right as she pushed the head out she grabbed my deltoid and squeezed and twisted it. left me sore for 2 days and had bruses where each of her fingers dug in.

Mark, you are too kind---- however, that is clearly unacceptable and you MUST set limits early on! If a lady did that to me, I would step out of "range" and let her struggle while I calmly told her I would not accept such an assault (and yes, remind them this IS ASSAULT, an offense you can charge them with). NO sense losing limb and health over out- of- control patients like that. You get backup staff in the room when you need to, to help the patient gain control, while showing clearly and early-on such behavior is INTOLERABLE. I like the idea of getting security for those who are TRULY life-threatening. I have never had a situation where restraint was necessary but we did have one kick a hole in a plexiglas showerdoor once....all she did was end up hurting herself! Now, That patient I took care of in the above post was like a wild dog out of control; I have never seen anything like her. SHE was clawing and biting her husband like an animal. I was disgusted yet, I knew not to let her TOUCH ME!

I have ONE body, they don't get to destroy it if I CAN HELP IT! I am not interested in being disabled out of a career and livelihood.

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · Jan 17, 2003

Heh- I like the doc that left-

"Stop that right now, or we'll leave the baby IN THERE!"

I've been pinched and grabbed, but nothing that I would consider out of line- they didn't know what they were doing. I try to stay out of range.

rdhdnrs · Jan 17, 2003

Had one girl who was pushing; I was up by her head and she turned to me and started to bite my arm. I said, " Honey, you bite me, I bite you back", and that pretty much took care of that. I've been scratched and squeezed but no real harm done.

mother/babyRN, RN · Jan 17, 2003

How many of us have been REALLY sore after a long active labor with someone in McRoberts...Feel like I've done a marathon somedays..And I have to say I have also told people if they bite me I will bite them back. There is no reason for that sort of behavior.....Period...Right people?????

2banurse · Jan 17, 2003

Wow! I never thought of working in the L&D like combat...how often do you run across this?

Kris

OzNurse69 · Jan 18, 2003

Didn't hurt the nurse, but I dislocated hubby's finger when I was having my 1st -- one of the OB reg's was in the corner reducing it, while the other one was helping to deliver my baby!! (...well, he should have given me his WHOLE hand...)

bagladyrn, RN · Jan 18, 2003

I did have one laboring woman reach out during a contraction and grab her husband right by the source of the whole problem. Raised him right up on his tiptoes. Since her other hand was equally tightly gripped on the bedrail, I'm not really sure this was a concious act. We had to pry her fingers loose, though...