Dx: Paralysis secondary to hospital admission

Nurses General Nursing

Published

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

"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!

yep. seen this one :D :up:

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.

But her Patient Satisfaction Survey, is going to suck.

:)

"Hold my Kleenex, I need to blow my nose" (says self-proclaimed weak and immobile patient, while simultaneously manipulating the TV remote with one hand and calling his sister on his Smartphone with the other).

Specializes in New PACU RN.

I had a young guy in his forties who was up and about but had his wife wash his bum in the bathroom after bowel movements. I almost threw up. I was too shocked/weirded out to say anything.

Gross.

I had a young guy in his forties who was up and about but had his wife wash his bum in the bathroom after bowel movements. I almost threw up. I was too shocked/weirded out to say anything.

Gross.

That is gross :eek:

When I was a relative newbie (3-ish yrs), I was working neuro (both medical and surgical).... had a LOT of laminectomies. One night a 30-something y/o GUY was standing buck naked in the doorway demanding to be catheterized. I wanted to give "it" a good yank to see if the plumbing was just kinked. :mad: I told him to get in the bathroom, quit disrobing, and pee in the toilet....then, in a skanky

tone asks "Don't you WANT to catheterize me?" and a quasi-seductive (mixed with moron) look on his face. :barf01: After hosing enough guys, I was tempted to drag out a 24FR, and see how soon he peed, but I was "nice"....just rolled my eyes and walked off. Anybody who is flitting around post-op (first night) after a laminectomy, to the point of taking off his gown, and being an exhibitionist is lucky he didn't end up missing his cajones. Made the incontinent coma dude (always had at least one) look like a joy to take care of (actually, I liked the comatose ones- get in, get them taken care of, get out- no call light :D-- back in the days of REAL visiting hours)..

Specializes in ED/ICU/TELEMETRY/LTC.
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 :D )

i is?:clown:

"Hmm, I'm looking at the doctor's admission dictation, and it doesn't say anything here about you having broken arms. Am I missing something?"

Specializes in ER.

"Hmm, I'm looking at the doctor's admission dictation, and it doesn't say anything here about you having broken arms. Am I missing something?"

I feel the same way when they wheel someone in to triage and the chief complaint is finger injury or sore throat!

Yes, it is interesting how many people suddenly can't walk once they've walked into the ED lobby. It's like there's a magical force field in place that causes lower extremity paralysis upon crossing the threshold.

This force field also causes acute vision loss, where walkie-talkies or family members cannot see the styrofoam drinking cups and the sink, or the kleenex right on the counter, or the emesis bags mounted on the wall. Instead, they come out into the hallway and pick anyone in a set of scrubs, preferably the busiest looking one, to ask them for these things.

Specializes in ER.

Some days I think gravity is just stronger than other days!

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