Got queasy at dialysis center

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Specializes in LTC.

Our RN program sends students to dialysis centers for 3 hours of observation. I thought piece of cake. I'll go take notes, ask questions, and learn as much as possible. However, I could barley learn anything because I was queasy the whole time. At one point I felt light headed and hot and felt as if I was going to faint and vomit. I quickly went to the bathroom and sat on the floor. I gathered myself and went back. I don't know why i felt this way. I never had problems with the site of blood. I wasn't sure if it was the smell or just the fact that blood was being removed and cleaned. Other than that it was a ok experience. :rolleyes:

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Ugh. You never know when that nausea is going to hit. I find that breathing through my mouth in a new situation is really helpful. At least you know that's probably not the area you should go into! ;)

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The deep breathing exercise to help alleviate nausea, hyperventilation and light headedness (due to psychological) is to take a deep breath in through your nose. Hold it for a count of 5-1,000 (1-1000, 2-1000, etc.) then blow it out through your mouth. Works like a charm. Hopefully your next time won't cause the same reaction.

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Specializes in Family Medicine.

It happens. Don't beat yourself up about it too much.

I've noticed most people get queasy when they are in the observation role. I don't know why this is but I think it has something to do with the fact that you are removed from what's going on and have a lot of time to think about how gross whatever going on is (blood getting cleaned in your case) or you start to think about how the patient is feeling.

My guess is if you had been the nurse in the situation you'd be fine. As an observer, you'd probably be okay after a few rounds of exposure.

Also, props to you for going back! :)

p.s. I'm probably going to faint while observing ortho surgery on Friday. Especially if they bust out the chainsaws.

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One word: peppermints!

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Specializes in PICU, Sedation/Radiology, PACU.

Don't worry about it. It happens to a lot of us at some point.

In my school, student have felt queasy/light headed when learning IVs, watching surgery, watching a delivery, during a dressing change, you name it. I have a friend that FAINTED watching ECT (electro convulsive therapy) and other that was doing her OB rotation, went in with a nurse to admit a postpartum patient, and passed out during the interview. Absolutely no blood, fluids, or anything. Both hit their heads and had to go to the emergency room- embarrassing, but no reflection on their ability as a nurse.

I would advise that, before you head into a new situation, make sure you have eaten something hearty and filling bread, fruit, etc) and that you are hydrated. Bringing gum or small candies can help if you have a sudden wave of nausea. I also find that if I concentrate on wiggling each toe individually, it helps distract me enough that the queasiness goes away.

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Funny that I read this...same thing happened to me at my dialysis observation day last week. I have never got nausea before anything before and I actually wasn't looking at any blood, just talking to a pt. I am convinced it was the smell...but i too got hot and nausea and had to sit down, it was short lived but awful..

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Specializes in LTC.
Funny that I read this...same thing happened to me at my dialysis observation day last week. I have never got nausea before anything before and I actually wasn't looking at any blood, just talking to a pt. I am convinced it was the smell...but i too got hot and nausea and had to sit down, it was short lived but awful..

Same here ! I was just talking to the patient and had to excuse myself. I knew if I didn't I would of passed out. Glad I'm not the only one...:o

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