Nursing recommendations

[JWEMT]

Question

im a Night nurse in with a new admit from another tour. Pt family calls about Pressure ulcer and beds. Now I know patient has pressure relief bed but did not know what type off the top of my head. Family calls and write that I need to document that I recommend a medically necessary air mattress or whatever. Maybe I said too much But I said I cannot write a recommendation on my note as I have not assessed the wound and open myself up to liability. I can write family requests such and such. Also I refuse to remove the dressing to assess the wound since it is intact clean and dry. Am I right that I shouldn't document things like that? I told family that I can verbally or leave message to tell the doctor or day shift to follow up. Maybe my response was not professional but my I feel my response was correct based on resource I have at night especially since been my wound care exp is not what I call enough to make judgement calls like that. I don't have experience with insurance coverage or facility policy on more advance mattresses. I usually deal with more acute issues. Nurse manager says I should just say I will follow up instead of explaining what I can and cannot do.

[Lev, MSN, RN, NP]

Always check the wounds of your new patient. Even if the dressing is dry and intact. The most important thing is to check for signs of infection. Even if you are not familiar with wound care you can redress with a dressing similar to what the patient came in with or slap on a dry dressing.