Has anyone ever done this?

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Specializes in PMHNP student.

I was taking vitals on a patient and the room was semi dark as it was early and the patient had just awakened. I was in the room with the nurse while she was doing something else and she wanted me to get vitals. I proceeded to do so and got everything on--BP cuff, pulse ox, and went to put the cover on the temp probe and put it in the patient's mouth. Temp didn't calculate so I disposed of the plastic cover and put a new cover on the temp probe (so I thought) and put the probe back in the patient's mouth. Still wasn't reading so I took it out of the patient's mouth again only to my horror to discover that the probe cover was NOT ON! It obviously didn't stick on the probe the last time and I didn't really see that since it was relatively dark in the room. The patient and her husband definitely noticed but didn't say anything. I was horrified and didn't say anything either and took her temp with a different thermometer (with a cover on it!) I was so upset with myself afterwards--has this happened to anyone else? I didn't tell anyone about it because I didn't want to get into trouble but I'm not sure if I should tell my instructor because I don't want to have harmed the patient by contaminating her. Please advise.....

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I always make certain I clean the equipment before and after use, for just such possibilities. But even cleaning it in front of the family member may not have satisfied him. Hopefully nothing was said about it.

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

we have all made goofs. Go to the General Discussion area under nurses and search for the thread about this topic. Some are hilarious!!

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Specializes in Cath lab, acute, community.

Mistakes happen! I would clean with an alco wipe afterwards to ensure its clean

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Mistakes happen! I would clean with an alco wipe afterwards to ensure its clean

Cleaning the probe and learning from mistakes is the best way to go here. The human body is designed to fend off a multitude of infections.

I've made the same mistake, and felt absolutely ridiculous for not being able to put a probe on correctly! Now I can feel less ridiculous knowing it's not just me. Sometimes they really don't stick, especially if your hospital orders "universal" probes for its thermometers. They're not very universal and don't always fit well.

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Specializes in PMHNP student.

Thank you, guys! That makes me feel better--I definitely cleaned the probe with an alcohol wipe afterwards and just played in cool in front of the patient. I appreciate the feedback :)

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What concerns should the patients have? What should be done in event this happens?

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