Medic Alert emblems

MAGIK GIRL · Jan 20, 2004

Originally posted by Rayrae
Hi- I was wondering when Medic Alert emblems are useful for care of your patients, is it like when they cannot give history for themselves, or what?
I have one of these and was just wondering how often you see them/use them in your work.
Maybe this is a stupid question, if so tell me nicely please; I have a tendency to ask obvious questions sometimes. :imbar
But I figured this was one specialty in which the medic alert emblems might be useful like if the patient was unconscious or couldn't give a history for some other reason...
anyway, thanks for your help! :)

well, by the "rn 2005"that you have printed with your name, i would guess that you are a student so here is my advice about stupid questions.

the only stupid question is the one not asked. always remember this in school and ask as many questions as you can. no matter how in significant the question may seem at the time, it may tie several others together enough to understand a concept!

about medic alert, well, i personally don't ask each pt if they have one. they are useful in the unconscious situation, BUT some people will forget to tell you the names of meds that they are on when you are doing an assessment. unfortunatley, this is true about allergies. some times during a quick look head to toe, on a walky talky, i will notice the braclet and ask about it. alot of times they are bulky enough to see.

hope this helps.

magik girl:D

mercRN · Jan 20, 2004

Originally posted by MAGIK GIRL
the only stupid question is the one not asked. always remember this in school and ask as many questions as you can. no matter how in significant the question may seem at the time, it may tie several others together enough to understand a concept!

hope this helps.
magik girl:D

I agree 100%. Ask your questions. If you don't you might not ever understand something. If the answer you get doesn't make sense ask again. The day I stop asking questions will be the day I die.

allnurses Guide · Jan 21, 2004

Always ask, then do it again in a different way. I ask patients in triage "do you take any medicines?" "no" have you taken anything for the pain?", "oh yes, percocet and 10 tylenols!"

I wore a medic alert necklace while I was on Coumadin for the very reason that if I was unconscious and bleeding, I wanted somebody to know!

Good luck in school.:kiss

perfectbluebuildings, BSN, RN · Jan 21, 2004

thanks all for the responses- I learned a lot!

also thanks for the advice about not worrying about stupid questions... sometimes I do and I am glad to hear from your perspective you all don't mind answering questions from someone still learning- like me!

take care all, and thanks again!

southern rn · Jan 21, 2004

While not always useful in the hospital or clinical setting, I think medic alert bracelets are still a good idea. Never know when you might not be able to communicate pertinent info on your medical condition. I had a patients's son (the visitor) sleeping on the cot in his room one night, early am started having seizure like activity. While I was trying to get some help in there I was trying to ask the pt if his son had ever had seizures before and he kept telling me yes. Come to find out yes he had but it was when his glucose bottomed out the poor guy was diabetic. We figured it out pretty quick and got him straightened out- his glucose was in the 20's- but a medic alert braclet would have been very helpful. Imagine if he had such a reaction at Wal-mart or somewhere...

MAGIK GIRL · Jan 22, 2004

Originally posted by Rayrae
thanks all for the responses- I learned a lot!
also thanks for the advice about not worrying about stupid questions... sometimes I do and I am glad to hear from your perspective you all don't mind answering questions from someone still learning- like me!
take care all, and thanks again!

12 years and still askin' and proud of it!

perfectbluebuildings, BSN, RN · Jan 22, 2004

you go, magik girl! :cool: