Labor pt with IDDM.

[DeniseLDRN]

Hello there!

I had my first IDDM pt in labor on Pitocin. The orginal order from the OB was LR and clear liquids only. I am still a fairly new RN to labor and I asked another "Seasoned Labor Nurse" about my pt's IV fluids and her management. The "Seasoned" RN told me that all our diabetic pt's are all clear liquids and LR, and told me not to worry about it. I did not listen to her and ended up calling our Diabetic Educator and the family doctor to get different IV fluid orders for my pt, as I was worried that she was going to bottom out. My patient became symptomatic; and had BS in the 50's, good thing I was on top of things already. I was very upset about this incident, and now I am very concerned about with Whom I am working with. This particular RN has been a Labor Nurse for 25+ years. I wanted to know your thoughts?

Respectfully

Deniseldrn

[mark_LD_RN]

sounds like the doc needs to be more on top of his patients.:) the ones here would know if she was seeing an endocrinologist they would have a consultation report in chart.

and your unit needs to have some kind of policy for dealing with IDDM patients. we do not need doctors order to check their blood sugar via finger sticcks here it is part of out protocol, we also have protocol for dealing with low sugars.

[dawngloves, BSN, RN]

How big was her baby?

[DeniseLDRN]

9lbs and 3 weeks early, and having a lot of problems.

Respectfully

deniseldrn

[SmilingBluEyes]

i BET the baby had problems!...sounds as she was not managed very well (not talking about you but in her prenatal course)...