My patient today was detoxing from alcohol and had mucous secretions so thick he sounded like he was drowning in them. His skin was so thin it was tearing everywhere. He could hardly speak and he was agitated and confused.
I started off by telling him my name and trying to get vitals..he started off my morning by throwing my thermometer at me and telling me to "get the h@ll out". Its ok though, that didn't bother me..I mean I just had to somehow get vitals...its just when something like that usually happens first thing in the morning you think "its going to be one of those days"
Eventually he became more oriented and cooperative. Not to mention my nurse that was assigned to the patient never once came in and everytime I asked her a question she acted like I was bugging her.
The day was getting better when my patients wife came in, I was so excited to have an opportunity to work with the family. We talked and she started crying and she thought her husband was going to die soon. It was soooo sad, I wanted to cry with her. I just told her I understood and that I was listening. She talked and I think she felt a little better.
Then it was time for my pt. to go to xray..well the transporter came up and im not really sure what went on...all I know is that it took four of us and I dont think the transporter knew what she was doing..perhaps she was new...
she had the stretcher up higher than the bed, his O2 tangled with his IV around his bed and his compression boots still attached trying to pull him onto the stretcher...before we could stop her! She had his head on the stretcher and we were at the feet..sigh...finally we got him on and she is wheeling him out when she knocks into the TV with the IV pole practically breaking it...OOPS! Then she left without any of his paperwork or his chart...
Later my pt. needed augmenten and you know how large those pills are so we mashed it up in applesauce but after taking so many other pills he just was too weak to swallow it. I didnt know what to do..meanwhile the pts. brother and daughter had come in. The family insisted that I not try to give him the augmented P.O. they wanted it through his IV. They were soo upset, you could just hear the dx and wife choaking up as they talked to me. I explained that I could not just change it that the MD would have to. I also told them i'd have to talk to his actual nurse first too. They were ok with that. They were not pushy or rude at all. The dx came out and said, "im just not sure we will have tommorrow with my dad" and she started crying...i almost broke down in tears right there with her, while holding the mashed up augmentin/applesauce mixture. All I could do was tell her Id talk to the nurse and that I understood, I gave her a hug.
What really made the rest of the day unpleasant was that after spending about 45 minutes holding the applesauce/augmenten mixture the nurse finally had time to talk to me, i know shes busy so i didnt mind waiting, but my mixture was starting to stink too! I didnt dare put it down though...
So when I told the nurse the situation she sighed and rolled her eyes and said, "oh they will just have to get over it,". She then told me to put it back in his med drawer and she would give it to him with his food at lunch?
Then she ordered me (not asked) to get the supplies for the dressing change. I told her i'd be happy to help her but either she or my instructor needed to be present when I did it...I brought back the supplies just like she asked and 10 minutes later she says "why havent you done that dressing change yet???" in a really nasty voice...I just apologized...im really not here to make waves..it was our last day anyway.
Sooo....the moral of this long story is..I was sooo dissapointed how she handled the family situation. I later heard her with the family and basically told them this is how his meds are ordered and we arent changing them. How can you look at a family obviously grieving and have that attitude??? It tore my heart out and she was just like whatever, rolling her eyes and sighing..I was so put off by this. I NEVER want to be that nurse. EVER!
On a lighter note, when the dx and wife hugged me, it all seemed worth it..I felt so good that I might have made them feel a tiny bit better. When things like that happen, those are the times I know that I am meant to be a nurse.
Sorry for the vent...its just been one of those days!
Well augmentin is a combination of amoxicillin and clavulanate (clavulanate increases the effectiveness of amoxicillin) and amoxicillin itself also does not come in IV form. Being a penicillin and knowing why (which I don't in this case) the antibiotic was prescribed I would have consulted the pharmacist where I work to inquire about alternatives in IV forms. I don't have a specific answer off-hand.
Hopefully your next rotation will be on a more student friendly floor.:)
My next clinical rotation will be at Childrens hospital. I am not worried about the nurses there but I am worried about dealing with the families...
GrnHonu99, RN
1,459 Posts
My next clinical rotation will be at Childrens hospital. I am not worried about the nurses there but I am worried about dealing with the families...