Dx: Paralysis secondary to hospital admission

[Florence NightinFAIL, BSN, RN]

You wouldn't believe the number of cases that I've been seeing recently.

I'm really getting sick and tired of how helpless people become/act/think they are just because they are in the hospital. Call bell rings non stop - and I have three things to do - give pain med, check new orders, answer call bell - and the call bell pt asks me to pull up their blanket, wipe their ass (yet they can use their hands to read the newspaper, scratch their knee, hold on to a walker), etc. etc.

If I had both my arms and legs broken - I'd still find a way to wipe my own butt. You know what I mean. I'd be too embarassed to ask someone to come all the way into my room for such a stupid request.

Mind you, I'm not talking about pts who have mental or phsyical issues.

Soooooo tired.

*vent over, for NOW!!!!* LOL

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

an astute assessment. Research shows that people really do "act" sick once admitted. One thing I liked about working in Pedi - kids don't have same expectations, so they try to play (which is their work), even if they feel awful.

[Biffbradford]

No no, it's a wellness center where people check in to be aided in their quest for improved self being. You, the wellness facilitator, is looked upon in high regard for guidance in this act. During their stay, certain modalities may be required to be implemented from time to time, and as the facilitator, it is essential that you can enable these modalities to your clients so their maximum potential can be realized.

(See, I've got my BSN )

[LobotRN, BSN, RN]

I wonder how much fall prevention paranoia supports the downward spiral of self efficacy (@ Biff, can you tell I'm thinking about getting a BSN?)? Where I work (ortho/medsurg) we are so paranoid about unplanned meetings with the floor that we don't even let the walkie/talkie A&OX99+ pee in private (the young and hearty ones post op day two or more even!). The next NDx I anticipate is "Altered elimination patterns as evidence by pt. stating, "I CAN'T pee with you STANDING IN HERE!" secondary to fall prevention policies and pt perceptions of staff voyeurism.....

Seriously, many of the safety measures in hospitals promote dependence I think.

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

No no, it's a wellness center where people check in to be aided in their quest for improved self being. You, the wellness facilitator, is looked upon in high regard for guidance in this act. During their stay, certain modalities may be required to be implemented from time to time, and as the facilitator, it is essential that you can enable these modalities to your clients so their maximum potential can be realized.

(See, I've got my BSN )

I think I hurt myself reading that. Bet you're getting A's.

[Dixielee, BSN, RN]

When we opened a new "fast track" area of our ED, it was a suite of 8 rooms with stretchers, equipment etc. It seemed that even the person with the most insignificant complaint, i.e. splinters, scabies, mild sore throats, etc. would immediately lie down, request a pillow and blanket, something to drink and were quick to use the call bell even though they drove themselves to the hospital and walked from triage to the the room. Several even wanted to go to x-ray via stretcher for injuries to fingers!

We quickly replaced most of the stretchers with recliners and 2 of the rooms just have regular chairs and we put people in wheelchairs in those rooms for disposition after x-rays. We have stretchers in 3 rooms for laceration repair, splint placement as needed, etc.

While we do still have some that become quadriplegic when they enter the ED doors, most now are much less demanding because they are in a doctor's office like setting instead of a hospital and are not treated as sick and dependent.

It has been an interesting study in personality and behavior.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

Feel better? Sounds like you had a bad week.....:hug:

[Kiwidanni]

I hope that for those whom hospital induced paralysis is an issue use some assertiveness in dealing with such patients.

I'm sure the ones that complain, because you say to them "You are capable of wiping your own bottom, now I have to go and do XXXX. Let me know if you need anything that you can't do yourself" and treat them well accordingly without pandering, are few and far between.

I've had elderly gentlemen ask me to wash their genital area for them when they can do it themselves, and my response is "I'll do your back and your feet, you can do all the inbetween bits" and they do understand you are just calling them on their BS.

Don't stand for it, and you won't have to keep doing it.

[That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

I hate trying to help people that dont want to help themselves.

[DixieRedHead, ASN, RN]

I had this woman who insisted on laying in the bed with her eyes closes. She must have weighed at least 350 pounds. I walked in the room and the poor nursing assistant was feeding her.

I called her outside the room and told her, "Just set up the tray, tell her it's there, and leave."

Nobody gets that big with someone feeding them. When we went back to pick up trays, that plate looked like it had been in a hobo camp. Clean, and dry. Amazing.

[LR59]

I once cared for a young man 26 years old, 758 lbs. whose mother and girlfriend did everything even feed him We told him he needed to assist us by feeding himself, using his urinal, brushing his teeth, washing what parts of his body he could reach. He informed us he didnt come to the hospital to do work or do our jobs. He quickly got better.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

"we're concerned that you won't be able to go home if you can't do basic self-care, so we're having you screened for a nursing home."

up and out!