Fainting in Surgery Clinical...

[TsavarenaRN]

2nd semester, OB rotation. I was watching a C-section (first actual surgery experience) not five minutes into the procedure I start sweating horribly, shaking, feeling like that surgery mask was suffocating me, and feeling like I am going to faint (but I didn't thank goodness) I wasn't sick to my stomach or anything, the sight of blood and bodily fluids has never made me feel that way. The room just felt so sweltering hot. I had to leave the OR and come back in twice; missing most of the good parts. I just couldn't understand myself. I was so embarrassed and disappointed. Anyone had a similar experience? I need a little encouragement here.....

Once again feeling like I am not cut out for this........

[shellsgogreen]

we're all still so new at this, and we can never be sure how we're going to react in certain situations - and wearing masks for the first time takes getting used to.

i was plenty worried before my or rotation however i made sure that i had was hydrated and had eaten....

kahlann, put this behind you and try not to let the doubt cloud your goal

[sunny61385]

The same exact thing happened to me while in clinical. I think that it's the mask and all of the above! I will be going through OB rotations this semester and am scared to death about witnessing a C-section. I thought that I was the only one who felt this way, but reading the posts has given me a bit more reassurance that I will eventually make it

[TalonLXX]

I had my first OR observation today. a c-section of twins. I was doing great, totally into what the Dr. and nurses were doing. I was fine though the birth and the suturing of the uterus but as the Dr. put everything back in i felt hot, sweaty, pins and needle and a need to use the restroom RIGHT THEN, I never felt ill but I felt faint and a need to go. After I did so I cooled back down and felt fine, srcubbed back in and returned to the OR with no further issues.

I did everything my professor told us, ate breakfast, had a cup of coffee and OJ about 2 hours prior to clinical, might not have had enough sleep but other then that I thought I was doing everything right to avoid fainting or passing out. I have another OR day for med-surg in a month, what can I do to prevent this from happening again? Any suggestions would help.

[dodgegirl713]

I had that feeling in OB during a C-section and also the first cardiac cath I saw in Med/Surg. All I did was take a few steps back near a wall and calmly took a few really deep breaths and I was ok again. I did look away while I was taking the deep breaths. Also what really helps is making sure you eat something before going to see a surgery. I think it is normal and everyone has that feeling/experience at least once. Just move on with it.

[Bortaz, MSN, RN]

I agree with everyone who blames the masks. The masks always made me feel like I was about to suffocate. Hated 'em.

And the smell of the cautery...

[ErinJane]

I almost passed out during a C/S. No worries. Sometimes you just have an off day. I ended up sitting in the waiting room for 2 hours sipping water until my teacher came and made me eat some cereal. It doesn't mean you arent capable or that you won't make an awesome nurse.