what would you do??

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I work in a LTC as a NA and trying for my CNA. I am new here.

I was bitten by a resident a few days ago- he is non- communative, 38 y/o male with TBI. He is paralyzed but can use one arm, and boy does he. I nearly missed getting hit hard in the face while the CNA and I were trying to change him. He punches and bites. I don't know what to do. He bit me about 5x the other day. I am feeling like a failure.

what would you do??

Sammi:o

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Specializes in Nursing Home ,Dementia Care,Neurology..

I think you need more than two of you when dealing with this young man.Human bites can be very dangerous, I hope all your immunisations are up to date.If he is kicking and biting because of cerebral irritation what do the docs. think about this? Is he on any meds to calm him down and is he likely to stay this way in the future?

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I think you need more than two of you when dealing with this young man.Human bites can be very dangerous, I hope all your immunisations are up to date.If he is kicking and biting because of cerebral irritation what do the docs. think about this? Is he on any meds to calm him down and is he likely to stay this way in the future?

His condition is not expected to get better- he has been in this state of health for 18 years. What immunizations are necessary. I just got my 1st of 3 Hep B and tetorifice.

Thanks!!

Sammi

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Specializes in Nursing Home ,Dementia Care,Neurology..
His condition is not expected to get better- he has been in this state of health for 18 years. What immunizations are necessary. I just got my 1st of 3 Hep B and tetorifice.

Thanks!!

Sammi

Well those will help protect you.Do the nurses and more experienced carers not have a stratagy for dealing with him? If his behavior is due to the brain damage,in other words he can't help it, do they not have some form of "game plan"to stop him punching and biting.You also need to watch how you position yourself so that he can't bite you.This takes a bit of thinking but can be done.

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Well those will help protect you.Do the nurses and more experienced carers not have a stratagy for dealing with him? If his behavior is due to the brain damage,in other words he can't help it, do they not have some form of "game plan"to stop him punching and biting.You also need to watch how you position yourself so that he can't bite you.This takes a bit of thinking but can be done.

Seems to me that the CNA's just deal with it, in other words, they have just allowed it. My DON was appalled when I went for my TB test and he saw the bitemark on my arm. He said that this resident needs 3:1 care when he is being chnged, hoisted, etc. The CNA said that would be psychologically detramental to him. She says she doesn't mind what he does because he doesn't mean to, doesn't know better.

I am sure he doesn't know better, and I like him, but I will not be put in danger.

Thanks

Sammi

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Specializes in Nursing Home ,Dementia Care,Neurology..

So isn't it "psychologically detramental " to you having to wonder if your going to get a severe infection everytime he bites?!!! I'm all for care of the patient but care of the health of the staff matters as well!

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Specializes in Advanced Practice, surgery.

I have dealt with a patient like this recently on one of my wards. An elderly patient with some dementia started to develop very agressive tendencies. Needed to stay on the ward because of the medical intervientions he was recieving, his dementia was excacebated by his medical condition and had caused a loss in inhibitions leading to agressive tendecies where he kicked, spat at, swore and punched the nursing staff.

Not his fault but unacceptable behaviour, just because we are nursing doesn't make it acceptable to be abused.

We filled in incident forms every time he was aggressive, and then as senior nurse on the floor I authorised a perminent security presence to ensure my staff safety with Mental Health qualified nurse cover for each shift as well

This has continued for over a week and will be maintained until either he improves or he is placed in a more appropraite care environment.

You do not have to accept being abused by a patient, intentional or not. Take it to your manager, the if that fails take it higher to get the support that you need. Document each time he injures or attempts to injure you are a co-worker making sure you make a note of dates and times.

No other profession would see this as an acceptable working environment so why should we.

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Now I have an issue- Thanks for the feedback BTW and I have talked to the DON who say they are "working" on a plan.

Now, I am not feeling well... I am hoping I just picked up a bug and it's nothing bad. I am wheezing and coughing alot. It just frightens me that I have been exposed to something somehow.

Also- does anyone know what the requirements are for a resident with MRSA?

We have a gent on the ward that has tested positive in his urine.. can that spread to other parts of his system??

Thanks

Sammi:icon_roll

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Specializes in Advanced Practice, surgery.

Sammi, if you had picked anything up it would start as an infection in the injured site, before it would get systemic. If you are worried go to your doctor.

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Sammi, if you had picked anything up it would start as an infection in the injured site, before it would get systemic. If you are worried go to your doctor.

Thanks for that info!!

Seeing as I am wheezing in my lungs, and sweating when I sleep, I am going to the Dr just to be sure I am not developing pneumonia (which I didn't get vaccinated for this year:o). I need to get back to work, but want to make sure I don't pass whatever it is around.

:redpinkhe Sammi

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Specializes in Nursing Home ,Dementia Care,Neurology..

Sammi, if you have been vaccinated for pneumonia that is you covered for life,well it is here anyway.Go to your doctor and have blood tests done.

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what blood tests would be good to get? I saw the DR today and she said I have bronchitis and a sinus infection. My bite marks are still visible.

Thanks,

Sammi

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