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My mom had COPD, and occasionally was hospitalized for pneumonia. I always knew the COPD would catch up with her. She was discharged from the hospital with oxygen and a home respiratory therapist. She was constantly SOB and it was getting worse, although she was satting around 95 on oxygen and 92 on room air. But despite the numbers she was still symptomatic and weak. Hmmm, what's going on here? Her doctor attributed it to COPD. Her RT attributed it COPD. Hell, I attributed it to COPD and was preparing myself for the worst. But why were her sats normal? I must admit I suspected she was malingering.........until she had a routine CBC. She has a history of angiodysplasia, and somewhere between her hospitalization and the CBC, she started bleeding internally. Her crit was 4. That's right, 4. Her doc immediately hospitalized her for blood transfusions, while I just sat there and ate crow. Holy Jesus no wonder she was SOB and weak.

What is angiodysplasia? Wishing your mom well.

What is angiodysplasia? Wishing your mom well.

Angiodysplasia is essentially a AV malformation in the intestine. It's genetic, her aunt had it, too, so chances are so will I. It can either be an acute or chronic GI bleed. They just cauterize it when it gets bad. My mom pulled through that incident just fine, and was surprised at how relieved I was that her SOB was due to a GI bleed rather than COPD. This can be fixed, COPDers, as we all know, when they deteriorate there's little than can be done, except supportive care. I learned a great lesson that day, just as many here have reiterated. Don't assume the obvious, especially when something just doesn't jive.

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
I don't agree with you that you are just supposed to sit back and possibly let someone die because the physician was relying on numbers only. A COPDer is normally not going to have a sat of 95%, something else was going on and not with the respiratory system. You have to go by your gut feeling. I have always stood up for what I believed in and as an advocate for my patients.

Until the physician can prove that I am wrong ............... I do not take no for an answer. The nurse is the one who is with the patient all day, and especially if it is a family member..................remember, you have to definitely stand up for what you believe in, someone's life depends on it. :balloons:

excellent! YOU are the nurse I want caring for me and mine!

Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.
Angiodysplasia is essentially a AV malformation in the intestine. It's genetic, her aunt had it, too, so chances are so will I. It can either be an acute or chronic GI bleed. They just cauterize it when it gets bad. My mom pulled through that incident just fine, and was surprised at how relieved I was that her SOB was due to a GI bleed rather than COPD. This can be fixed, COPDers, as we all know, when they deteriorate there's little than can be done, except supportive care. I learned a great lesson that day, just as many here have reiterated. Don't assume the obvious, especially when something just doesn't jive.

Thanks for the lesson, both on angiodysplasia and the lesson you learned as well. Hope mom stays well. :)

excellent! YOU are the nurse I want caring for me and mine!

:balloons: Thank you............... :balloons:

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