Nervous Patients

[FragOut]

Hi all,

I've been working in the OR for about 6 months as a nurse tech, and I love it. However, one thing I feel like I'm not very good at is reassuring nervous patients. I'm sure all patients are nervous to some degree, but I'm specifically talking about the ones that are visibly upset/shaking/nervous/crying when you take them back to the room. I usually tell them that they're in good hands and that we'll take great care of them, but I was curious what some of the seasoned OR vets here say to their patients. I searched through the forum threads but couldn't find much.

Thanks in advance,

Dave

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

The ones that are so anxious that they are "upset/shaking/nervous/crying" would likely benefit from some Versed on board prior to leaving the preop area. Do your anesthesiologists not routinely order it? While not enough to knock them out (except for a few super lightweight patients), it does indeed take the edge off for many of them. Other than that, for some people without medication you can't really get them reassured as they're rolling into the OR.

[ClearBlueOctoberSky]

I'm one of those patients. Honestly, no matter what you say to me, isn't going to matter, and I don't really hear half of what you are saying. I am so worked up in my head, even though I know and admit my fear is irrational. I also tend to get really sick afterwards.

My last surgeries I had was for my knee, first to clean out the torn meniscus, and then another to replace my ACL. The anesthesiology team was great, and Versed does help.

[FragOut]

No, they do order it, but I think a few really nervous ones I've seen either got it late or just weren't feeling it. Thanks for the reply though!

[FragOut]

That makes me feel a little better. I totally get why people would be nervous though. Thanks for the reply!