I am a nurse aide that floats to 5 differents hospitals and different units throughout one health system. I have been working as an aide for 2 years and will begin nursing school this winter. Last night I worked on an oncology floor, and was told a certain patient was receiving chemo and to practice chemo precautions. I have never been educated/trained about chemo or chemo precautions before. I was told to double glove when handling his urine and to double flush. I emptied this patients urinal twice during my shift, and after thinking about it on my way home I realized I did not double glove and used just 1 pair of regular gloves. I did thoroughly and vigorously wash my hands after. How dangerous is this? I feel stupid and very naive now that I have came on here and read posts about nurses wearing special gowns/gloves and wearing a mask when emptying urinals/bedpans/commodes. I was not aware until today of how dangerous the body fluids of patients receiving chemo can be. Now I am worrying that I exposed myself to chemo.
I am a nurse aide that floats to 5 differents hospitals and different units throughout one health system. I have been working as an aide for 2 years and will begin nursing school this winter. Last night I worked on an oncology floor, and was told a certain patient was receiving chemo and to practice chemo precautions. I have never been educated/trained about chemo or chemo precautions before. I was told to double glove when handling his urine and to double flush. I emptied this patients urinal twice during my shift, and after thinking about it on my way home I realized I did not double glove and used just 1 pair of regular gloves. I did thoroughly and vigorously wash my hands after. How dangerous is this? I feel stupid and very naive now that I have came on here and read posts about nurses wearing special gowns/gloves and wearing a mask when emptying urinals/bedpans/commodes. I was not aware until today of how dangerous the body fluids of patients receiving chemo can be. Now I am worrying that I exposed myself to chemo.