Bruises

NanaPoo · Apr 23, 2015

The hydrogen peroxide was absolutely nutty. It didn't do a thing but she was convinced it did. She was always having me put peroxide on cotton balls and rub it on her bruises. You know, because I'm "the nurse in the family."

I haven't heard of Arnica so thanks for sharing that. I'll try the warm compress on my kids that get shiners. It's worth a shot!

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Apr 23, 2015

The hydrogen peroxide was absolutely nutty. It didn't do a thing but she was convinced it did. She was always having me put peroxide on cotton balls and rub it on her bruises. You know, because I'm "the nurse in the family."
I haven't heard of Arnica so thanks for sharing that. I'll try the warm compress on my kids that get shiners. It's worth a shot!

Grandma reminds me of the father in My Big Fat Greek Wedding who believed wholeheartedly that a spritz of Windex would cure any ailment, LOL...

mugs · Apr 23, 2015

Thanks for all your replies. I am a new nurse working in Subacute care so I wanted to know what to do. If I see bruise.

amoLucia · Apr 23, 2015

One other thing - some places require that NEW bruises are treated as 'incidents' with an incident report and an investigation. Not every little 'bump & bruise' will qualify, but you will 'know' when a bruise has to be treated as an injury. Very common in LTC.

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Apr 23, 2015

Thanks for all your replies. I am a new nurse working in Subacute care so I wanted to know what to do. If I see bruise.

The best thing for you to do is to follow your facilities policy; each place has different P&P.

At the facility I worked at, we documented, had to make an incident report, do 48 hr statements, and monitored the bruise; if they were on anticoagulants labs were drawn for precaution.

It may be different in your facility.

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Apr 23, 2015

I have a giant bruise right now. I got hit with a ball in floor hockey. If a doctor or nurse saw it, I wouldn't expect them to do anything about it. If a woman comes in with a black eye and there's a history of suspected abuse, you should ask her about what happened and refer to social work. If a child has a bruise that looks like the imprint of Dad's belt, remove the parents from the room and ask the child what happened. Refer to CPS if abuse is suspected. If the patient has cancer and is covered in bruises, you best check a CBC because he likely needs platelets.

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Apr 24, 2015

I need to find that Arnica stuff. I am constantly running into stuff and I bruise so easily. At any one time, I have about 10 different bruises on my arms and legs. It's embarrassing because I think people probably think I'm abused but I'm not. But lately even on my forearms and I can't remember for the life of me how I do it. I was on Coumadin years ago and ever since I bruise way easily.