Call it a hunch.

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As I was passing breakfast in my hall, I noticed an unfamiliar patient that seemed to be moving very sporadically, unresponsive and in general not well. Right away I got her charge nurse and told her of my observation. She checked the patient and said this was normal. Despite the fact I felt that it was wrong I went about my day in my section. As I passed her room her charge nurse asked me to get her oxygen and set her up STAT and so I did. To make a long story short this did not help and she totally crashed. The physician on duty or someone else called for a paramedic and intubated her. She didn't recover.

I am going to school for nursing and I am still a novice but was this the right way for the charge nurse to respond?

I wasn't even the PT's CNA but I am always willing to help any PT especially in an emergency situation and the RN thought I was working her hall so she demanded vitals and I had to tell her several time she was not my charge nurse.

How could I have affected the situation to be better for this PT?

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Specializes in UR/PA, Hematology/Oncology, Med Surg, Psych.

You and I are not privy to this patient's medical information, therefore neither of us can judge the actions of her nurse. Also, in an emergency people work together. You should not have told the nurse "several" times that she was not your charge, you should have just quickly gotten the vitals.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.
dream said:
You and I are not privy to this patient's medical information therefore neither of us can judge the actions of her nurse. Also, in an emergency people work together. You should not have told the nurse "several" times that she was not your charge, you should have just quickly gotten the vitals.

Or quickly gotten the CNA that WAS assigned to her hall. You also could have filled that CNA in on your observations and concerns prior to said crash so that he/she could keep an eye on this patient.

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I was talking about vitals because I wanted to point out the RNs lack of attention. I took that PTs vitals without being asked. Her CNA was no where in site so I stayed with the PT but her nurse went about passing meds when the doctor came in and assessed her. I don't take other PT vitals unless I think something is wrong so I can inform a nurse. Unless my charge nurse asked.

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Also, I am new in this field. I feel the other CNA's are taking advantage of this and they disappear but if I say anything to the supervisor I get the stink eye and lack of cooperation so quite often I find myself in other PT's rooms assisting but I am not always reciprocated that. There are exceptions as some of the CNA's are amazing and very helpful. I am in school to become an RN and I try to find positive non confrontational ways to say things. Being tactful is difficult for me sometimes and I am learning to do this in a healthcare setting. I love being a CNA because I love working close with the PTs. It really makes my day to improve theirs.

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You say you are new but see everything wrong with eveyone else. I see a difficult work environment in your future

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Wow. Very untrue and out of context! I have gotten little good feed back from this site. Unfortunately the healthcare field isn't comprised only of caring people and if anyone thinks they are floating around a toxic environment with a poor perfect me they are indeed in store for a rude awakening. Maybe I should have just come out and say it plainly. If you disagree with a superior more experienced person how is it best to handle it if you feel strongly about it. I can rephrase the question if that helps.

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You have excellent observational skills. In this case, you did all you could do by reporting your observation. You assisted as well as you could.

Take this as a lesson for your future nursing career. You have learned a lot from this. I have a feeling you will be an excellent nurse.

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Specializes in ER.

You reported to the RN in charge. You got vitals. I think you acted correctly.

Maybe the nurse didn't act quickly enough, maybe it was a hopeless case, we don't know. But it sounds like your actions were correct and within your scope.

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What I'm curios of is what can I do to get the nurses attention more. Is there something or some type of sign besides vitals I'm missing? I haven't done all my nursing prerequisites yet.

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What I'm curios of is what can I do to get the nurses attention more. Is there something or some type of sign besides vitals I'm missing? I haven't done all my nursing prerequisites yet.

It's probably outside your scope as a CNA. If the nurse told you to check a blood glucose, that may be another thing you could do, but an MD order is required. You will learn to do other physical assessments as an RN.

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Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.

If you believe a patient (not PT; that is physical therapist) is not receiving as much attention as his situation warrants, you can approach the person again and say "I'm really concerned about...". Be prepared to state why you're concerned and be prepared to accept the response from someone who knows more than you. If you're really concerned that something important is being blown off, you can go over that person's head. That's the best you can do in your situation.

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