Just How Messy Does It Get???

Nurses General Nursing

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OK, I have a question...Generally, when I watch others clean up a mess they are efficient and able to quickly and thoroughly clean a mess...Me, on the other hand---I usually end up dropping the cleaning agent, as well as the towels, paper or whatever I'm using into the mess while dragging my sleeve through it, or stepping in it, or skidding through it and landing on my butt. Soooooooooooooo, I can't help but to wonder what it's going to be like when it comes to cleaning someone's bed, or their behind, etc in my case???? Seriously, it's like this all the time no matter what I'm cleaning...It's like watching a young fat kid try to clean chocolate off their hands, face, and table.....

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Specializes in Step-down, cardiac.

The messiest and most horrifying nursing story I've ever heard was on here, just a few days ago. You can read it here, if you dare: Letter from the Illinois Eye-Bank - Nursing for Nurses

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Specializes in ER.

Stuff squirts on the floor at least once a month. Be really, really nice to your housekeepers.

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Stuff squirts on the floor at least once a month. Be really, really nice to your housekeepers.

Oh, lord.....So I'm really in for it, then......I swear I look for everything I could ever possibly find to step in....

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
ok, i have a question...generally, when i watch others clean up a mess they are efficient and able to quickly and thoroughly clean a mess...me, on the other hand---i usually end up dropping the cleaning agent, as well as the towels, paper or whatever i'm using into the mess while dragging my sleeve through it, or stepping in it, or skidding through it and landing on my butt. soooooooooooooo, i can't help but to wonder what it's going to be like when it comes to cleaning someone's bed, or their behind, etc in my case???? seriously, it's like this all the time no matter what i'm cleaning...it's like watching a young fat kid try to clean chocolate off their hands, face, and table.....

when i was a brand new nurse, we didn't use gloves for anything. i could clean up bloody diarrhea without getting a spot of it on my hands, my sleeve, the side rails or my helper. after 25 years of gloving up, i can't clean up anything without making a worse mess before it gets better. i have coworkers -- including some brand new grads -- who can clean up the worst messes without incident. i'm jealous.

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The messiest and most horrifying nursing story I've ever heard was on here, just a few days ago. You can read it here, if you dare: Letter from the Illinois Eye-Bank - Nursing for Nurses

I did read that one.....I guess I will have to depend upon my own adrenaline rush to see me through....

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Specializes in MR/DD.

You will learn through trial and error. You will be able to change a diarrhea filled bed with as much grace and ease as any other nursing skill.

My suggestion is to always keep an extra pair of everything in your locker. :)

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I am like that to when it comes to changing briefs.

In my CNA clinicals there was this one woman, completely dead 300lb weight, who had a VERY large BM. My partner and I were able to roll her on her side and arrange her legs so she would be propped up. I used the clean areas on her brief, a whole pack of wipes (30 in each pack) and some washcloths. It took almost 15 minutes to get done.

There were just so many folds and creases that I had to get into to clean!:uhoh3:

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Ohhhh but the worst are the painters....

Poo everywhere -- all over themselves, the side rails, the wall, the food tray, the call bell, the light fixtures, the ceiling, in their hair, under their nails, in their mouths...

Leonardo DaVinci they are not!!

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Specializes in MR/DD.
Ohhhh but the worst are the painters....

Poo everywhere -- all over themselves, the side rails, the wall, the food tray, the call bell, the light fixtures, the ceiling, in their hair, under their nails, in their mouths...

Leonardo DaVinci they are not!!

Yikes! I once had a confused patient "paint" with the contents of her colostomy bag.... ugh

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Specializes in Emergency.

Another blood story. Hx of etoh, esophageal varices blew, blood on the walls, the computer, everywhere. Wound up giving him 7 units before stablized after clipping. Also found out that the room he was in has a tilt to the floor as the blood flowed and pooled at 1 side. We had to throw towels on th floor so weren't standing in the blood. He lived.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Another blood story. Hx of etoh, esophageal varices blew, blood on the walls, the computer, everywhere. Wound up giving him 7 units before stablized after clipping. Also found out that the room he was in has a tilt to the floor as the blood flowed and pooled at 1 side. We had to throw towels on th floor so weren't standing in the blood. He lived.

I'm impressed.........they usually don't live. I had one bleeder that blew varicies that when we called the code we realezed that the blood congealed around our feet so when we stepped away our footprints were in the blood. I also remember one I caused.........in the days before Level 1 trauma infusers we used pressure bags around the units of blood. WELLLLLLLL........as I was pumping up the pressure bag to get the blood in as quick as we could on a pediactric traumatic arrest I realized that I hadn't secured the blood tubing in the unit..........just as the tubing came out and covered me, the patient,the doc's,our perfect white uniforms,the walls,the floor,the EMS.............with bright red BLOOD!:eek:

So, I smiled sweetly and said........SORRY!:o A story that will live in infamy!

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