I am a new grad and just had my first interview today on a Oncology floor. Which by the way is where I really want to work. During the interview the nurse manager told me they sometimes they have sickle cell patients on the floor. She was asking "how would you handle questions". She asked if you had a sickle cell patient come up to the floor. Patient has a implanted port in the chest. There is a order for diluadid and he wants in the port. What do you do?
I work on an oncology unit and access ports all the time. Check the orders first and then if you don't have an order or access the port call the MD and obtain an order to access the port per protocol. If the client is in extreme pain and an immediate order cannot be obtained I would then explain to the client that about the protocol and offer starting an IV until an order is available.
Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
I have seen in the ER where if port pts come in and are just getting Zofran x1 or Dilaudid x 1 they will do a PIV if possible since they reason a port access for 1 med is more risk of central line infection than it's worth. However, if the pt is sickle cell and already admitted to the floor my assumption would be there is also an order for IV fluids since IV fluids helps stop the sickling process. In that case, I would definitely access since you'll be using the port for fluids as well as IV push meds.
???
I work in oncology, and we give multiple meds though ports. I've never heard of this.
noyesno, MSN, APRN, NP
834 Posts
I think you answered this interview question really well and I've got to say, I love the 8675309 in your username. :)
I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!