AM Care Issue

[Forever Sunshine, ASN, RN]

My patient today was a starting to come out of a coma so he is immobile basically. This morning my partner and I had to do AM care. I am not a CNA and neither was my partner. I need assistance with a heavy patient. If the patient can move or is about 100 pounds I can do their care myself. Its not the washing, its getting the draw sheet and the brief underneath them and turning that really troubles me.

I really don't mean to be insensitive here but, the IV pole would have been more helpful than he was.

All he did was attempt to turn the patient and the patient wasn't even fully turned. I kept messing up and the brief kept ripping and it took more time than it needed to. I was so embarassed and I felt so incompetant because my instructor and another person from my class came to help and I was really really glad they did and my partner just stands there showing no remorse for himself whatsoever.

Has anyone dealt with something like this? How should I handle it? Hopefully I won't have to work with him tomorrow, or I'm asking for a different assignment because not only do I have to pull my weight, but his too.

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

If you have a draw sheet placed correctly and you are the only nurse, turning the patient is possible. Positioning is important. You need to use good body mechanics and the draw sheet to help you. Cross the patient's arms and legs and use the draw sheet to roll the patient toward you. Place pillows at their back and under knees and elbows. Come around behind them and use your hands to align their hips and shoulders. If the diaper bunches up, I would remove it and put another on after.

[Forever Sunshine, ASN, RN]

I did use that technique today with another student from my class, I was helping her with her patient and we used the draw sheet and the patient was a chunky girl too so she did have some weight to her.

But I did not get to practice on my own patient today because my patient was OOB and independent.

When I had my med-surg clinical we were partnered up with 1 or 2 patients. The last day of clinical I was by myself but I really didnt need help my patient was 100 pounds and could turn in bed but she was dependent for her am care.