Tuesday was the second clinical day for me...we did the same thing as last week which was baths, feedings, changing adult diapers, etc.
There were a couple of things that did have me concerned...and I'm just praying that I can make it through the program.
One guy was 100% immobile from a stroke as well as completely incoherent. When we changed him, he urinated on the new pad, so my partner and I waited until he finished to change it out again.
This is ONLY URINE, and it was so concentrated I thought I was going to gag from the odor.
I have also been shocked at the deplorable condition these patients come in from the nursing home...feet where the toenails were actually raised 1/2" from the nail base due to fungus, buildup (I have no idea of what causes that).
It did reinforce the fact that I want to work with infants...but one of my friends who is doing her rotation in a nursing home spent an hour on wound care that was infected with MRSA, and she said it was all she could do to maintain composure and not be sick and at one point, had to step away from the patient (she was only assisting).
My instructor suggested we carry some Vick's vapor rub with us to clinicals and use a Q-tip to swab a little in our nose before entering a situation like that.
I always liked working with the older folks. Kids whine and they have parents who annoy you. I know this because I have three kids and I myself am a very annoying parent when dealing with medical personnel and anything to do with my kids.
But older folks always have interesting stories to tell and usually appreciate the care you give. Smells barely bother me, I don't think they ever really did, just look at the person and everything else will fall away.
Not to be picky or mean, but check with the CNAs at the facility & see what term they use for adult diapers. Imagine your shame if you were old & had to wear a diaper. Ya, we know that's what they are but many of them feel bad when you call them diapers in front of them. We referred to them as disposible briefs or just briefs. Sounds so much more adult.
Specializes in Critical Care: Cardiac, VAD, Transplant.
I have nearly finished my first semester of clinicals and have loved every new thing I have come across. I have dealt with bowel incontinence with C-dif (what a smell!!), a huge tunneling wound that was being opened, for the first time, at the bedside. We lost one of our classmates with that one as the black and brown colored odiferous pus began running from the incision. I got a patient that had an abdominal dehis and I got to pack the wound. Did oral care on an elderly man that had 'chunks' of stuff coming out of his mouth. Saw a really cool MRSA wound freshly debrided so that about 2 inches of the humerus was visible. All of this I handled very well and enjoyed the new experiences...but...last night my youngest daughter developed a stomach virus and vomited all over her bed and floor and I was gagging continuously while trying to clean it up:lol2:. Go figure! I am told everyone has their weakness in nursing! Apparently emesis is my 'nemesis'. I hope none of my classmates find out about this:uhoh21:. They'll never let me live it down.
"I have nearly finished my first semester of clinicals and have loved every new thing I have come across. I have dealt with bowel incontinence with C-dif (what a smell!!), a huge tunneling wound that was being opened, for the first time, at the bedside. We lost one of our classmates with that one as the black and brown colored odiferous pus began running from the incision. I got a patient that had an abdominal dehis and I got to pack the wound. Did oral care on an elderly man that had 'chunks' of stuff coming out of his mouth. Saw a really cool MRSA wound freshly debrided so that about 2 inches of the humerus was visible"
Thats amazing that you have seen that much in your first semester of clinicals. Good for you for handling everything that you did in the right manner. How exciting. I just saw my first real pressure ulcer to the bone (on the hip) two days ago and I thought it was so cool (but not really for the pt) and my friends think I am crazy. haha
Bumashes, MSN, APRN, NP
477 Posts
My instructor suggested we carry some Vick's vapor rub with us to clinicals and use a Q-tip to swab a little in our nose before entering a situation like that.