advice patient over the phone

Black Jade, BSN, RN · Mar 7, 2011

You should write in the time and date she called obviously. You should always document phone calls. Write down in detail such as how many weeks pregnant she is, what type of symptoms she is having (ie. abdominal pain, spotting or bleeding, fever) and when those symptoms started. The advice you give her depends on the symptoms she is having. I usually report her symptoms to her PCP and it is up to the PCP to follow up or I do. Hope that helps.

BJ

KyPinkRN · Mar 7, 2011

Generally it's a huge liability to give any type of advice over the phone. Usually, after hearing what the symptoms are I tell people that we can give advice based on a phone conversation and it's up to their judgement whether they want to be seen or not. Of course, if someone calls in and it's obvious that they need care I tell them to come in right away. Aside from that I don't advise people on over the counter treatments they can do or tell them nothing is wrong.

netglow, ASN, RN · Mar 7, 2011

OP, are you working in a clinic as a student, tech or CNA? If you are you cannot go very far in your conversation with any patient. Yours is to record the patient's comments and then take contact information and give that to an RN or the MD.

locolorenzo22, BSN, RN · Mar 7, 2011

see, I err on the side of caution. Often, discharged patients or patients with problems call up to the floor, and start telling me things like "my mom's heart rate is 120, she has a history of cardiac problems, she feels etc etc etc." and I have to protect myself.

I always tell them "I'm sorry, due to the state nurse practice act, I cannot advise you on how to handle this. If you have concerns, I would either contact your medical doctor or come into the Emergency room."

You don't want your name coming into it if somebody dies.

tewdles, RN · Mar 8, 2011

L&D units have very specific protocols about triaging calls into the unit. You will want to get your answers from the provider or your instructor.