I may have saved someone's life yesterday!

[86toronado, BSN, RN]

Not the first time, but it always makes me feel great!

I was at work, not at school. The patient was on Q15min BP's and had a huge drop - from 100's on 70's to 70's on 40's within 15 minutes. I rechecked it manually to see if it was a mistake, and got 50's over 30's, HR of 41, complaining of dizziness/nausea - so called her RN. She looked her over and said she would page the NP(!)

I excused myself from the pt's room, went to the charge nurse, and insisted that we call a rapid response, she agreed - 5 minutes later we have the NP at the bedside, as well as RR nurse, Respiratory, etc. Got a CBC, EKG, etc... Turned out her H/H had dropped considerably over the last 3 hours, CT showed retro-peritoneal bleeding from her stent placement, got shipped off to CCU! I love advocating for my patients...:redbeathe

Has anyone else had a similar experience where you as the Nursing student, or tech, or nurse's aid have really had to speak up for your patient? It feels good doesn't it?

[chicookie, BSN, RN]

I have not had that chance but I want to congratulate you on trusting yourself. Alot of people would have just told the RN and left it at that.