I said a bad word...but I don't know why it's bad

[qaqueen]

I am confused!

I am working in NICU as a CNA while attending school. I was told to call the NNP yesterday because a new admit had a blood glucose of 9. (Yep, we verified it twice, this was for real.)

Anyway, when I reached the NNP, I told her that the baby's blood sugar was "crashing". The nurse I was working with spun on her heels and said "NO, it isn't!"

If a blood sugar of 9 isn't crashing, what is?

Obviously, I have misused the term, but I dont know why.

Help.

Thanks

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

I am guessing that "crashing" is reserved for codes.

[elizabells, BSN, RN]

I am guessing that "crashing" is reserved for codes.

That may well be it. Or - was this the first BG? A decrease from 70 to 9 would, to me, be "crashing", whereas a sugar that's BEEN low for a while might not, even though it would deserve a call to the NNP.

[qaqueen]

Good point, that was the first bg.

[llg, PhD, RN]

Not to sound harsh, but it really wasn't "your place" to draw a conclusion about the blood glucose. You should have said that the baby's blood glucose was 9 and that it had been double-checked. When you are reporting lab results, you should state the facts, not your interpretation of their significance.

That's true of RN"s, too. We should report the facts.

[qaqueen]

Good point. I accept that.

[llg, PhD, RN]

Good point. I accept that.

Thanks for being gracious about my comment. I was afraid you would take it wrong and I would find myself in a flame war or something.

[qaqueen]

No flamin here! I am here to learn. I appreciate the input.

[SteveNNP, MSN, NP]

I agree with llg. The patient's nurse was responsible for conveying those results to the NNP, so she could take a stat order. A BS of 9 is not something that you delegate to a CNA.