Can It Wait? Or Not?

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Howdy all. I have a patient at home who has a UTI with C/S showing E-coli and Enterococcus. Physician didn't get the results of C/S until today (don't know what time exactly) but he calls on-call nurse 75 miles away at 6:30 PM and tells her to fill a script for the infection. It takes two hours to get it filled. Now, patient lives 75 miles away from city, and all local pharmacies are closed. So, on-call nurse in city has to fill prescription at Walgreens and meet other on-call nurse half way between small town and city. My question is, could the antibiotic wait until at most tomorrow morning (when it's light out and the drunks are off the road), or is it urgent enough of an infection that it needs to be given to patient ASAP? I'm just wondering because I've had a HELLACIOUS on-call weekend and pretty much have been going non-stop all day today and a lot of yesterday. I guess I just feel whiney :p Maybe I'm just venting. I am pretty new to all this, so I don't question a nurse with way more experience than I have when she thinks it's urgent. I just was wondering if it really is and why. Does that make sense? Thanks!

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depending on the severity/stage of the uti, you don't want it progressing to pyelo or any other renal sequelae.

your judgment.

good luck.

leslie

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Specializes in Hemodialysis, Operating Room Nurse, PACU.
depending on the severity/stage of the uti, you don't want it progressing to pyelo or any other renal sequelae.

your judgment.

good luck.

leslie

VERY True... :up:

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Thanks for your input. It is important, I realize that. I'm just REALLY tired.....sigh. We did go ahead and get it and deliver it to the family last night. Wow, call can really kick the snot out of us at times.....

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

I think you did the right thing. I know you can't talk about the patient, but if the patient was already compromised in any way or elderly a UTI can turn into something serious like sepis, as well as pyleoneph. etc. Always best to nip it in the bud quickly.

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Feeling MUCH better today! I'm glad we got the med for the patient because patient is compromised. I think I was just venting....the nurses I work with are AWESOME, and that's why I whined, but did it in the end. Thanks for reading the thread, and thanks for all your good feedback.

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