The most scariest thing...

Specialties Geriatric

Published

Specializes in LTC, ER, ICU, Psych, Med-surg...etc....

What is the most frightenng/scariest thing that has happened to you in your nursing career?

Mine was regarding chemo. I was working as a precepted nurse on a chemo unit (mostly elder adults) and back in those days we had to go to the pharmacy and sign out for our chemo. I had never worked with chemo before and was "learning". The protocol was that you were to check your orders, and after you premedicated your patients, you had to go to the pharmacy and sign out for the chemo, bring it back, verify the chemo with the order, verify your patient (armband ect) and then administer. Okay, so I had three patients on chemo (first mistake). I had premedicated all three and was told by my preceptor to go get the chemo for patient A. So I go to the pharmacy and get the chemo for patient A. In the mean time, I was told that there were 4 patients tht needed blood drawn from their central lines, and since I was "new" and "needed the experience" I had to do it.( Second mistake) So I did. Well I was all flustered because it set me way behind and I still have chemo to give. So I hang the chemo on Patient A. Then I was told to get the chemo for patient B and C. So I go to get the chemo for B and C. When I get to the pharmacy the pahrmacist tells me that I have already picked up the chemo for B but gave me the chemo for C. I said "No I did not get the chemo for B", he said well it has been picked up by "(name same as mine)" (third mistake, didn't look at log myself). I nearly died right there. I mean really. I had to ride the elevator up to the 8th floor and the whole way I felt myself getting weaker and weaker, I was diaphoretic, and had palpatations...I was shaking so hard I could barely stand up. Other people on the elevator were looking at me and I know I was white as a ghost and dripping with sweat. I could barely breathe. I thought "I have hung the wrong chemo on the wrong patient" OMG ...of course in my state of anxiety I could not remember if I had really verified the order or the chemo or the paitent...I couldnt even think! All I could think of was that I had hung the wrong chemo and had done irreparable damage to my patient and my license and my life...When the elevator opened, I could barely walk off. I managed to walk/stagger/half crawl to patient A's room. The room was dark...thank God the patient couldn't see my face. I reached up and took hold of the IV chemo bag and slowly turned it so I could read the label...my hand was shaking and I read the label....HALLELUJAH! It was the right chemo for the right patient! I nearly peed my pants in relief! THEN I walked to the door and through gritted teeth stated LOUDLY "WHO MESSED WITH MY CHEMO!????" My preceptor smiled sheepishly and said "Oh sorry, I meant to tell you. I was downstairs while you were drawing blood and picked up your chemo" (her first name same as mine)... I wanted to wring her skinny chicken neck! Obviously after 25 years, I still haven't gotten over it....

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Specializes in LTC.

I was getting a panic attack just reading your story. lol

I sighed a breath of relief when you said you did give the right chemo to the right patient. I would have probably passed out on the elevator.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Telemetry, SICU.

Bless your heart, how traumatizing! Thank goodness that mix-up didn't cause any harm.

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Specializes in Burn, CCU, CTICU, Trauma, SICU, MICU.

Every time I have had to work a code in an MRI scanner. No access to your aline, too much artifact to read the EKG properly, shoddy MRI compatible IV pumps that don't program drugs into them... Having to pull the patient out of the scanner and code in the hallway NEXT to the scanner... It's just a nightmare.

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Specializes in Orthopaedic Nursing; Geriatrics.

I had just finished assisting my physician on an open reduction internal fixation of a fracture hip. The patient was still on the fracture table and I was starting to untie her various ties. The table was up about 4 feet high. All of a sudden, she sits up, leans over and falls head first onto the floor! It happened so darn fast there wasn't any time to react. The ER wondered why we were calling for a backboard to the OR. It was the worst day of my life. I don't drink - but I did that night! I was so sure I was going to be sued. Luckily for all of us in the room, the family was great and understanding, and the patient was OK.

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Specializes in ICU, ED, Trauma, Transplant.

For me, it's confrontational family members or patients who get right in my face, point fingers, and yell at me over things I cannot (actually, NO ONE, for that matter) can control. I think an adult yelling at a professional who's doing their job to help just shows a lot of immaturity and weakness in that person, and I can't help but think those type of people are really close to physically assaulting whomever they're unleashing their rage onto. And the threat of getting physically assaulted is what really scares me.

Sometimes they do swing, but it's just the ones who are, without a doubt, actually mentally ill. I've been lucky everytime so far; I'm just good at ducking and running!

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A full code resident bleeding out from esophogeal varacies in a LTC setting. Looked like a crime scene.

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Specializes in Med Surg/Tele/ER.

debRN0417....I just about puked while I read your story.....I think any of us that have made or thought we made an error feel just about like you did!.....been there and had those feelings.

When I was a brand new nurse I had to hang Dilantin....I knew it was highly incompatible....there was a fluid running I think it was d5. So I talk this over with an older nurse that had been there forever ( everyones go to person)....assures me that there is no need to stop the fluid....its ok to hang them together. Stupid, and new I follow his directions.....instead of looking it up....double checking for myself. Bad move! The min it hit the line it turned white.....I just about passed out...couldn't think....hot, sweaty, heart beating outta my chest! I grabbed the line bent it in half....unhooked it from the t-port....did not even stop the pump until later. I was just sick! Thank goodness I stayed and watched it. I was so upset, and that poor pt just laying in the bed without a clue! I went and told my charge nurse, but since none got to the pt.....it was ok. She went over a lot of things with me and I can tell you.....I always double, triple check anything I am not familiar with to this day.....I know I learned a lesson but man it was a terrible feeling! Thank the good Lord no harm was done.

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Specializes in Transgender Medicine.

OMG! I almost passed out for you just reading this! It goes to show how much you really care, though.

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Specializes in LTC.
A full code resident bleeding out from esophogeal varacies in a LTC setting. Looked like a crime scene.

My next step would be call 911. Not the supervisor, not the MD.. get them out! lol

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