Nursing Student Needs Help about her pt tomorrow

[JdNNurse2B]

Hello Fellow Nurses.

I am Jwan. I am doing the accelerated program at drexel university. almost 3/4 of the way done and tomorrow I think I am going to have one of my most difficult patients. (he isn't difficult, i fear I am going to make THINGS difficult). I get very nervous when doing new things with patients.

The gist of my pt. is that he is a double amputee above the knee, he as 2 decubitus uclers, PEG, colonostomy bag, trach and is on a vent dependent respiration.

We do morning care for pts. What is the best way to move this gentleman to change his sheets without making him uncomfortable or risk ripping any of the tubes.

I'm trying to go over it in my head, b/c i did go in into meet him. Very sweet man and his wife is amazing. And I want provide the best care possible.

Any pointeres would great. Thank you!

[XB9S, BSN, MSN, EdD, RN, APN]

Hi there, I have moved your post into the ICU forum as i think you will get a better response there.

As far as moving your patient around. Make sure that he has adequate analgesia first, depending on his pain levels on moving.

You are not going to have to do this on your own so one person should be delegated to mind the ET tube during the move, airway protection is paramount so this is all that this person should do.

THe other tubes, I used to tabe a loop to the patient's clothing or to the patient then hold them in my hands during the moves. Before you do anything account for all of the lines and tubes and ensure that someone has responsibility for holding them.

Then move him as you would any other patient who is bed bound. Position his limbs comfortabley and make sure that he has confidence that someone will be supporting him and he wont fall, the person holding the ET is ideally placed to talk to your patient and let him know what is going on.

[joeyzstj, LPN]

A lot of pain medication and slooooowly turn to each side with someone watching all of your tubes as Sharrie mentioned above. The patient has been through a lot and unfortunately you can move him without creating a little pain here and there.