charge nurse tried to make me go to work with allergic reaction

Nurses General Nursing

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So today I accidentally ate something that had sulfites in it, and I am allergic to them. Luckily, I'm not so bad off that I immediately go into shock, but I had to take a ton of antihistamines, far more than usual, with the blessing of my allergy doctor, to stay out of the hospital. As of right now, I still don't feel well and am displaying mild allergy symptoms.

I called in to work, today was to be my first day by myself as a CNA. While on the phone the charge nurse belittled my decision to stay home because of my allergies and the heartburn that was accompanying them. I was not thrilled that she wanted me to list so many symptoms and even less than thrilled when she belittled my decision and acted put out that I was not coming in.

My previous allergy doctor (I just moved, he is in another state now) ordered me to NOT work when displaying out of control allergy symptoms--even more so when I accidentally consume sulfites or naproxen. My last two employers would not let me work at all with an allergic reaction, no matter how mild (one was a hospital, the other a law firm). They did not want to deal with the liability or the potential of me being taken out on a stretcher to an ER.

I told several family and friends about this and their recommendation was to go to HR to ask how much should be disclosed to my immediate supervisor, since the charge nurse was so rude about it and expected me to come to work while barely able to function.

I am wondering...would going to HR be a good idea, or should I just go to my supervisor? I carry an epi pen in my purse at all times and am supposed to wear a medic alert bracelet that states I am allergic to sulfites and naproxen. I've also been hospitalized twice in the last 6 months for my allergies, so my allergies are no laughing matter, and I really did not appreciate being belittled over them.

I also disclosed to HR that I have serious, potentially life-threatening allergies upon hire. So it is not like HR is unaware.

Specializes in Rodeo Nursing (Neuro).
Um...wrong!!! there is NO reason you should take "A ton" because "a ton" refers to 2,000 lbs. I dont care if your dying from a peanut allergy, there is NO doctor in there right mind that would prescribe 2,000 lbs worth of antihistamines. And i know she may have been exaggerating a touch, because clearly she didnt take 2,000 lbs (i know that). It's the fact that she needed to exaggerate to get out of work.

Because if someone told me "i took A TON of antihistamiens" then i would probably say don't come to work.

But if someone told me..."I took 2 antihistamines" then i would say "Come to work."

To me, it just sounds like she exaggerated how much she took to get out of work.

I've paged docs that I've given a pt a ton of pain meds. I actually meant "a lot". I doubt the OP meant a literal ton.

Specializes in Intermediate care.
My instructors have stressed that an allergic reaction is one that causes anaphylaxis, everything else (like an upset stomach) is an adverse reaction or side effect, not a true allergy.

Is this what you guys have been taught/believe/practice as well?

there is no such thing as "side effect" of eating red jello. I don't see anywhere on the labels there are side effects to red jello/red popsicles. "Sensitivity" maybe, but when you go into to see the doctor they don't ask you "What are you sensitive to?" i mean come on...if someone asked me what i was sensitive to i would respond "Babies and puppies".

An allergic reaction does not always cause anaphylaxis, i've seen people get hives...this is an allergic reaction to something. But its not anaphylaxis.

anyway, what im getting at it is for him...on his medical record it is listed as an "Allergy" so it is known that he does not get anything with red dye in it.

Specializes in Intermediate care.
I've paged docs that I've given a pt a ton of pain meds. I actually meant "a lot". I doubt the OP meant a literal ton.

Again, i stated i already knew that. But its the point she exaggerated on it to make it sound worse than it was. I don't know about you but i NEVER tell the docs "She required a ton of pain meds" because "a ton" to me is different than "a ton" to the doctor.

Instead i'll say " In order to control her pain she required the max dose of pain medications i was able to give her throughout the night."

...sounds a little better to me and gives the doctor more information that he needs.

Um...wrong!!! there is NO reason you should take "A ton" because "a ton" refers to 2,000 lbs. I dont care if your dying from a peanut allergy, there is NO doctor in there right mind that would prescribe 2,000 lbs worth of antihistamines. And i know she may have been exaggerating a touch, because clearly she didnt take 2,000 lbs (i know that). It's the fact that she needed to exaggerate to get out of work.

Because if someone told me "i took A TON of antihistamiens" then i would probably say don't come to work.

But if someone told me..."I took 2 antihistamines" then i would say "Come to work."

To me, it just sounds like she exaggerated how much she took to get out of work.

Well now, won't you feel silly if the OP actually did take 2,000 lbs of antihistamines.

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It's an expression FFS, and a commonly used and understood one at that. No reason to get worked up about it.

To Pepper: our hospital policy allows for termination due to excessive absences or absences where there appears to be a pattern (call outs on holidays, to have a long weekend, etc).

Specializes in Rodeo Nursing (Neuro).
Again, i stated i already knew that. But its the point she exaggerated on it to make it sound worse than it was. I don't know about you but i NEVER tell the docs "She required a ton of pain meds" because "a ton" to me is different than "a ton" to the doctor.

Instead i'll say " In order to control her pain she required the max dose of pain medications i was able to give her throughout the night."

...sounds a little better to me and gives the doctor more information that he needs.

I think we don't know why the OP almost certainly exaggerated the dosage of antihistamines. I think she was probably just being colloquial. It's entirely possible she was unfit to come to work. Again, from my perspective, staff lying dead in the ditch doesn't fill a hole in my staffing.

You're quite right about communicating with physicians in a clear manner. A lot of times, though, that can be done informally. If the max dose is effective, I might leave a note, but I wouldn't page. If it's not effective, I'm more likely paging about a pain and/or psych consult, or to question whether the meds we're giving are the right ones. The colloquial expression would be merely the start of a conversation, not the entirety of it. Still, yes, objective data would be more correct.

Specializes in Intermediate care.

Nursemike

It still doesn't make sense to me why you would tell the doctor a patient received "a ton" of pain medicaton, because they didn't. If i got report from the previous shift and they told me "a ton" i would assume they maxed out their pain medications for the shift....but maybe "a ton" to that nurse is completley different than mine. So by communicating with someone "a ton" of pain meds or any type of medication, that is terribly informal and not giving any information what so ever other than the fact they needed some pain medication at some point throughout the shift.

besides this isnt about what we would communicate with the physician and what defines a true allergy. I'm not saying i agree or disagree with the charge nurse in this situation. But back to the OP...HR could care less, this isnt really what they do. Go to your nurse manager if you have an issue with this. THe only time you should go above your nurse manager is for times when your nurse manager isnt doing anything about it or you feel you are still not getting the answers you need.

Jenni

I would let this drop. Don't bring it up to HR, your boss, your charge nurse, your peers, your patients, your anybody.

Get well and get back to work.

do what your doc says to do.

Let this drop.

No way would I make an issue here. Get better, go back to work, and do a great job.

Specializes in LTC.

I think you may want to review what an allergic response is. An allergic response is an immune system response. An upset stomach is a side effect or sensitivity, it has nothing to do with the immune system. Frequently when hospitals take allergy info they write down response so they can determine if there is a true allergy.

I've given a lot of medications that people are "allergic" to. Most of the time we give food or maalox before giving them because an upset stomach is worth the benefit.

there is no such thing as "side effect" of eating red jello. I don't see anywhere on the labels there are side effects to red jello/red popsicles. "Sensitivity" maybe, but when you go into to see the doctor they don't ask you "What are you sensitive to?" i mean come on...if someone asked me what i was sensitive to i would respond "Babies and puppies".

An allergic reaction does not always cause anaphylaxis, i've seen people get hives...this is an allergic reaction to something. But its not anaphylaxis.

anyway, what im getting at it is for him...on his medical record it is listed as an "Allergy" so it is known that he does not get anything with red dye in it.

To the OP. It sounds like your charge nurse may have thought that your allergic reaction was something more like seasonal allergies. It might be worth getting a note from your MD to bring into work next time you work.

Specializes in School Nursing.

Re: "a ton"...where is that red herring thread again?

i think you may want to review what an allergic response is. an allergic response is an immune system response. an upset stomach is a side effect or sensitivity, it has nothing to do with the immune system. frequently when hospitals take allergy info they write down response so they can determine if there is a true allergy.

i've given a lot of medications that people are "allergic" to. most of the time we give food or maalox before giving them because an upset stomach is worth the benefit.

to the op. it sounds like your charge nurse may have thought that your allergic reaction was something more like seasonal allergies. it might be worth getting a note from your md to bring into work next time you work.

:eek:

unless your work requires of employees that they bring an md note saying you are allowed to return to full duty or to light duty (and doc specifies exactly what you can and cannot do at work), do not ever give them a doctor's note. your employer, your charge nurse, hr, everyone there has no business whatsoever asking for your diagnosis. and the sooner you learn to keep your private business private, the better off you will be.

in this day of disappearing privacy, cling to what little you still have. of course, your insurer, if your insurance is provided by your job, can and likely will disclose your diagnosis. not sure this is legal, but they do it. not that you have to let them.

so what are you going to do, op?

At my facility, we have to let PRN staff know by 0500 if they won't be needed. We're semi-rural, so if we waited much later, a lot of people would be en route by the time we tried to call. Or census might be down and we're overstaffed, then someone calls off after we've given two others the day off.

I agree that people should be treated like adults. But if three people are calling off with hangovers from the same party, it could just be that treating them like adults means terminating them. I'm not saying that applies to the OP. In fact, in my previous (unlicensed) job, I called off during my probationary period with a fever the doc attributed to "a virus." I knew I was contagious, and I figured I didn't really want a job that would fire me for doing the right thing. Now, as a nurse, I'm older and under a lot more stress, and I find myself yet again on the first step of progressive discipline for absences. As I said, stuff happens. I don't usually get grilled about a reason, I usually volunteer a generic one: sick, Dad's sick, sewer backed up, etc. A lot of the dayshift CNs are friends, so I'm often inclined to share vivid details, especially if it's a GI issue. Because I'm sure they would want to know.

You shouldn't tell people. They have no need to know and you might get your stories crossed. Sorry, I know you didn't ask. Jusy my :twocents:. good luck beating that PD thing.

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