Disturbed...

Hi all...

I am a first-semester RN student and have been having my first few clinicals at the local geriatric center. It seems like a great facility -- the residents appear to be very well cared-for. Personally, I am loving the experience and I'm learning a lot.

Something today upset me, though, and I wanted to ask if it's the norm. I don't have any medical background and haven't heard of this. My patient's roommate is actively dying. He's 83 years old and I'm not sure of his dx. Anyway, the first thing I wondered about is why he's being assigned to students. My class is the second class that's had him this week. I would think I would want to be left alone. Is this normal, to give a dying patient in this setting to a student to care for? He had a fever and seemed so cold, and having to receive a bed bath from inexperienced students (although they were absolutely doing their best) seemed unnecessary. Cruel, even.

Second, his family has ordered that he be NPO. So far it's been three days, and all tx, fluids, etc., have been d/c. My classmate was doing mouthcare and it was all she could do to get the toothette out of his mouth, b/c he was sucking on it so hard. He is in and out of consciousness and doesn't talk but he seemed so miserable.

Anyway, this could be all r/t my inexperience, but I'm very sad about it this afternoon. Does anyone have any thoughts? tia.