Hey people, first time poster here. I'm also a first year student and tomorrow I begin acute care clinicals. This will be my second bunch of clinicals, my first being at an extended care facility with elderly patients.
Overall my first experiences with clinicals was good. I had the opportunity to change briefs, give baths/showers, watch a dressing change, assess stage 2 pressure ulcers, perform baseline assessments, etc. Unfortunately there was one part of my experience that I feel I need to improve: lung sounds. I'm a drummer and my ears are pretty crappy as it is. My patient had dementia so communication was a bit tricky and I could never get her to take deep breaths. My patient was also female so naturally I felt awkward trying work around her breasts--What is the best way to listen to lung sounds in a way that makes the patient as comfortable as possible?
I tried to reach down the front of her gown but then my elbow/arm is right up in her face. I was thinking perhaps I could simply untie the gown from her neck and lower it gradually as I work my way down, but then if she's got an IV that could get in the way...and my patient couldn't really straighten her arms so that would have been tricky too.
Any response would greatly appreciated! (Also--I get the impression that people under 30 are thought of as somewhat burdensome...any general wisdom on how I can fight that stereotype?)
Nice post. As for the quoted phrase, yes, I am. A sadder, wiser, frightened man who sometimes feels like he has about 20 wives, but still a man. Sorta.
Best of luck, ObstreperousYoungLad. You are in for a ride.
Yes, let's base my entire nursing practice on the fact that I can actually hear through a thin piece of fabric. If your hearing is so bad that you can't differentiate between lung sounds and fabric rustle, I hope you're looking into getting a hearing aid. Feel free to be my nurse though, as I recognize that not all nurses are perfect, since Jesus already has a job.
:heartbeat:heartbeatLove my Ultrascope, even if some people might think I'm half-*****for using it over a gown.:heartbeat:heartbeat
dudette10, MSN, RN
3,530 Posts
Welcome to nursing school.