Scariest thing you have found

nrw350 · Jun 7, 2003

that is sad and scarry. I know I could not handle being a nurse with patients in that bad of shape.

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Jun 7, 2003

Originally posted by nrw350
that is sad and scarry. I know I could not handle being a nurse with patients in that bad of shape.

You are too right about it being sad and scary. What makes it more sad and scary is that it was a seatbelt that caused her injuries. She and her family were very lovely people and I will remember them as long as I live. We know that we did everything humanly possible to keep her alive and only feel frustrated that we weren't able to do it. I feel humbled and privileged to have been involved in her care.

mattsmom81 · Jun 8, 2003

Those seatbelts prevent head trauma from the windshield but sure can cause other injuries can't they...also am seeing quite a few airbag injuries. Nothing keeps us perfectly safe anymore....

Kudos for being able to work with critically injured kids...Jan...I can't. Adults are hard enough.

And the gun story...OMG!!!!! :eek:

kidnurse57 · Jun 8, 2003

Long ago I worked with a nurse who diluted an aminophylline bolus with more aminophylline rather than saline. The baby didn't die, but seized and had terrible brain damage. The nurse eventually surrendered her license. The unit was horribly understaffed that day and dangerous for everyone.

woodymic · Jun 9, 2003

Once I found a 'very' deceased patient, I'm talking full rigor, after taking report from a nurse that had supposedly done rounds not 15 minites before. Another time, following the same nurse, I insisted we do rounds together (this was usually not done in this facility. They even allowed people to record report and leave when you got there.). Room after dismal room, with filthy linens and zero pericare given, we came upon a woman coding. When I ran to call the code, the other nurse said, "She always sleeps deeply". Another nurse in the same facility charted passing certain BP meds over a 12 hour shift, and we had none of this drug in the building. She then charted normal BP readings. Yep, you guessed it, for me, the patients BP was 200/106. It's so hard to limit myself to sharing just these few horror stories.

mattsmom81 · Jun 9, 2003

We are supplied premix half liter heparin solutions in two strengths...one for line system flushes and one for therapeutic heparin...I have found them interchanged numerous times even though we have a policy to double check the correct concentration is up.

I had a nurse give a handful of hi dose cardiac meds to the wrong patient...and we ended up needing rescue ACLS meds to save him.

Kidnurse, the stories of kids suffering from a nurses' errors are the most tragic of all. How awful. How can she live with herself.

frann · Jun 9, 2003

It was my first time mixing up CAPD solution (peritoneal dialysis)I was still on orientation. well we had a verbal to add heparin to the bags. I misunderstood and added 5,000 u to each, instead of the 500u is was supposed to. Pt only had one bag infused for 1/2 hr, before I discoverd me mistake and drained her.

That doc was so mad

I'm not sure if this is the worst thing I have seen,

maybe its the worst thing I've done

Nursebelle · Jun 9, 2003

I am a new member to this discussion. I am relieved that I am not the only that has encountered nurses or doctors that are so unaware of their actions. Just taking the time to do the job that is put forth with effort can change outcomes. Anyway.

I recently left hospital nursing do to the degree of shortage and overtime demands. I worked at a hospital where the population is 90% geriatric. One night, working 7p-7a, I was getting my 2100 meds together for my 5 patients, Now, I was also in charge and working on a tele unit with no secretary. when I noticed this poor man on a stretcher in the hallway. This poor guy was a nice shade of ashen gray. I dropped my clipboard and immediatley began to assess. Asking who he belonged to, and why is he out in the hall. He was diaphoretic, clammy, and had no IV... I was told by his nurse that he was being sent down for a picc because she couldn't find a line. (duh) His o2 sats were 78% on 4L, bp 76/40, hr48 lungs....Full. When I asked the nurse, if she had checked him before sending him down. I was informed that RT said he was fine on 4L.... This was all taking place as he was being taken back to his room. The MD ordered diuril and bumex plus dobutrx. And he was sent to the unit and later coded. All this nurse said was "Atleast he made it off the unit before he coded" This nurse had other lapses that night, gave 2 mg Ativan IV to an 80 pound geriatric who suddenly decided not to breath and had to be bagged..... She said I gave the ampule, (2mg/ml). .5mg was ordered....Horrible night......

nursejenrad · Jun 9, 2003

Another from the "Thank Goodnes I Walked in That Room" file, NA giving a pt a bed bath was to apply Nystatin to pts groin. She had a tube of NITRO in her hand!

:eek: [/b]

OMG! That would have been some bed bath!

nrw350 · Jun 9, 2003

Originally posted by nursejenrad
Another from the "Thank Goodnes I Walked in That Room" file, NA giving a pt a bed bath was to apply Nystatin to pts groin. She had a tube of NITRO in her hand!

OMG! That would have been some bed bath! [/b]

I do not understand the situation regarding the drugs.

nursejenrad · Jun 9, 2003

Nystatin is used a antifungal, and is applied all over the affected area (The groin in this case)

Nitro is a topical (it's in a tube in this case, can be in all sorts of other forms but the tube gave it away) and is measured out carefully for the tx of angina, it relaxes vascular muscle. The point is that it can bottom out your BP, give a wicked headache and it can last up to 12 hours. Not something you want all over your bottom side or anywhere else for that matter (unless you have angina-)

I hope this helps-