How much vomiting happens on an acute rehab floor?

Specialties Rehabilitation

Published

Hi everyone. I know this sounds like a strange question but does anyone know how much vomiting happens on an acute rehab floor? I love nursing, but I literally have a phobia about vomit and don't handle it well. I know, i know....maybe i shouldn't have gone into nursing but i love everything else about it! I'm currently in therapy trying to find a way to deal with it better. All I know is that there was a lot of it in med/surge and I'm hoping that with acute rehab w/ a max 2 week stay, i will deal with this a lot less. Experienced rehab nurses please help and give me the info I need and help me figure out if this is a good fit for me. Thank you so much for any help.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in SNF.

Hi there! :-)

I have been working as a rehab nurse (skilles nursing, not acute) for 7 years (I swear I have applied at hospitals almost 100 times... no chances...:-)). I really don't have to deal with a lot of .. EMESIS!! haha. Yeahh... vomit! Let's put it in numbers... maybe once a week...or even less.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Quite a bit of vomiting can happen on acute rehab units. At the freestanding acute rehab hospital where I work, all patients have PRN standing orders for promethazine (Phenergan) to address the issue of nausea/vomiting if it should arise. And it arises often.

In rehab we deal with many health problems that can activate the brain's vomiting center at any time. CVAs, closed head injuries, migraines, brain tumors, and increased ICP can all trigger the vomiting center, and we see patients with these afflictions on rehab units all the time.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

Repeated exposure will desensitize you so go for it. And just remember that you need to help the patient and your own feelings need to be put on hold. You will do fine.

I hate vomit too. Avoid at all times if possible. However, as with all gross tasks if you concentrate on the need to help the poor person affected you will get through it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I work in acute care rehab as an LNA. I've seen it 2 1/2 times in six months. One full vomiting episode, one person that I had to change clothes and shower after the fact. And the 1/2, just gagging with no vomit for about a half hour.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I appreciate so much the responses. Thank you all so much. Unfortunately I'm not sure I will become desensitized to it....i've been dealing with it on almost a nightly basis on my current unit :( Oh well, I cant let it stand in the way of my dreams....Thanks again for the feedback!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

it cant possibly have more vomiting than a surgical floor can it??

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Transitional Nursing.

On my floor there was a good bit of vomiting, but it just totally depends on the current census. Lots of hips and knees this week? Not so much. Lots of paraplegia, NTBIs, TBIs, CVA's yep expect some. Dr changing pain medicine all around because therapy is kicking butt, yep again, more puking.

I'm a CNA and with hourly rounding I can pretty much avoid a huge mess because I know who is feeling sick and make sure they have a basin near them at all times. Plus a few extras.....hint....just throw the basin out if its really bad!! I know thats terrible but ya gotta do what ya gotta do. :jester:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you for the tip! I''m really hoping this unit doesnt have more vomiting than the surgical floor i was on! Same issues with pain meds, and lots of abd surgeries.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you for you knowledge and honesty!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.

Haven't seen a lot on our units... happy to report!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment