Even Nurses Need Pt Education for their Healthcare Needs!

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Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.

The night nurse came on today at 1930 to receive report from me. She thanked me because before my vacation recently she had shown up for work in a burgundy scrub outfit, and I had joked "Oh, you must have your period!" because I always wear colors like that when I'm mensturating. She told me "Oh I haven't had my period for two years since my tubal ligation"

I was concerned, and asked her if she had been evaluated for that. She answered "Oh no, that's normal after a tubal, right?". I told her that it was absolutely not normal and that she needed to get in to be seen about that.

So tonight she told me that she was grateful I had said something, that she had gone to the gyno. Her TSH was 64 and her thyroid practically non-functional! She had gained 8 lbs lately (she's very slim), hadn't had a period in 2 years, her hair was brittle, she'd been depressed and low energy, but had attributed all these signs to other causes. Most surprising of all is that she thought it was normal to stop mensturating after a tubal. And, the other nurse coming on, an older woman, said she would have thought the same.

She said that the doctor had asked her if she had any questions, but she hadn't thought to ask that one, and when her period didn't return after she stopped nursing her baby, she thought it was normal.

We had a good laugh about it. I'm glad she'll be getting this straightened out! We all agreed, even nurses need patient education!

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Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.

I'm glad she's getting the help she needs. I find it difficult to believe that a women, much less a nurse (in the 2000's) would not know that a tubal doesn't affect menstuation. That's kinda sad really. But glad she's getting much needed help.

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Specializes in acute care.

Honestly, I didn't know this. I also thought you stopped getting your period after this was done.

I'm glad she's getting the help she needs. I find it difficult to believe that a women, much less a nurse (in the 2000's) would not know that a tubal doesn't affect menstuation. That's kinda sad really. But glad she's getting much needed help.
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Why would you stop getting your periods? Ligations only tie off the tubes, doesn't affect the uterus which is where the tissues come from.

When I had Monster I wanted so badly to breastfeed. I needed help. Every person except for one who walked into my room told me what to do but didn't stay to make sure I did it right. Only one nurse spent any time with me.

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Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.

I was shocked that she didn't know this, but look, NYdreamer also didn't know. This must be a fairly common misconception! I explained to her that a tubal doesn't affect the hormones that cause mensturation.

Really, we can never assume that any one person, no matter what their occupation, knows certain things when we are educating patients. What is total, obvious common knowledge might be unknown to some people, no matter how competant and intelligent they are.

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Monster? Maybe it is some culture thing? Just wondering Tazzi Rn, because it isn't the first time I have seen you say that on here.

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A tubal does not affect FSH, LH, estrogen or progesterone levels, endometrial tissues, or anything else related to menstruation.

It simply blocks an opening.

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Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.
A tubal does not affect FSH, LH, estrogen or progesterone levels, endometrial tissues, or anything else related to menstruation.

It simply blocks an opening.

You know that, I know that but obviously alot do not. While I don't put down anyone who didn't know because I certainly learn new things everyday....I'm just kind of surprised that any woman would not understand how her basic anatomy works. JIMHO.

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Monster? Maybe it is some culture thing? Just wondering Tazzi Rn, because it isn't the first time I have seen you say that on here.

It's an affectionate nickname for one of her children.

;)

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Thanks, Sue!

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Specializes in Utilization Management.

I also had a situation in which I was not taught about a chronic lung disease process. Everything -- and I do mean everything -- that I learned about this disease, I learned from researching it online.

That should've been done by the docs. It made me wonder what happens to "regular" patients.

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