Possibly Odd Question

[want2b3]

I am considering nursing, not fully dedicated to it. i find it interesting though it is only one of the paths I could choose.

With th that being said, I have a question on the philosophy of nursing in practical usage.

The scenario is; you are in the field, and someone is cut very badly, the doctor tells you to apply pressure for bleeding. It's a bleed from something vital. Do you, as the nurse:

A: ask the doctor where to apply pressure, and then know where to apply it?

B: have to know where to apply pressure, and apply it?

This question may seem out there, but I feel as though, as someone only considering nursing as a career path, it's something I feel I need to know.

thanks,

Adam

[klone, MSN, RN]

I'm not sure I'm understanding your question. Are you asking if, as a nurse, you simply get instruction from the physician and then follow orders, or if you know from your own training and education what to do? If that is what you're asking, then the answer is the latter.

[want2b3]

Thanks for the reply, if you or someone could please elaborate. I'm sure this answers my question. But it gives me more questions

[fisherco]

I'm not sure I'm understanding your question. Are you asking if, as a nurse, you simply get instruction from the physician and then follow orders, or if you know from your own training and education what to do? If that is what you're asking, then the answer is the latter.

I agree that the way you've asked this question is weird. Especially the "in the field" portion, what do you consider that to be? But in my opinion with the way you've phrased the question there are things you can do without the physician, like common sense things. If the patient is bleeding then your first order of business is to get that under control as best you can anyway whether told to or not because it's part of the ABC's.

[klone, MSN, RN]

Thanks for the reply, if you or someone could please elaborate. I'm sure this answers my question. But it gives me more questions

It's really hard to elaborate because you're being quite vague and cryptic. Instead of dancing around the questions, why don't you just ask them, and we'll try to answer as best we can.

[SubSippi]

If someone was cut very badly, a nurse wouldn't need to wait for a doctor to tell him/her to apply pressure.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

The scenario is; you are in the field, and someone is cut very badly, the doctor tells you to apply pressure for bleeding. It's a bleed from something vital. Do you, as the nurse:

A: ask the doctor where to apply pressure, and then know where to apply it?

B: have to know where to apply pressure, and apply it?

I work at a specialty post-acute hospital that does not have doctors on staff, so the nurses must know what to do when emergent situations occur.

The typical nurse in America perhaps sees physicians for 15 to 20 minutes out of the entire shift, if at all. So, for your aforementioned scenario, the answer would be 'B.' It is not as if we work under the direct supervision of doctors who are always on site.

In addition, what if the doctor doesn't return calls? Nurses need to know how to handle emergent situations, including simple tasks such as applying pressure.

[cayenne06, MSN, CNM]

If my patient was bleeding, I would use my skills and education to control it as best I can, working collaboratively with the provider if they are there. Nursing and medicine are quite intertwined. Does that answer your question?

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

frequently, the the hospital setting, the MD is not around. The nurses responds and gets someone to call the MD.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

I am considering nursing, not fully dedicated to it. i find it interesting though it is only one of the paths I could choose.

With th that being said, I have a question on the philosophy of nursing in practical usage.

The scenario is; you are in the field, and someone is cut very badly, the doctor tells you to apply pressure for bleeding. It's a bleed from something vital. Do you, as the nurse:

A: ask the doctor where to apply pressure, and then know where to apply it?

B: have to know where to apply pressure, and apply it?

This question may seem out there, but I feel as though, as someone only considering nursing as a career path, it's something I feel I need to know.

thanks,

Adam

I am wondering why you NEED to know this before you even start a program. I also don't know how this applies to any "philosophy" of nursing.

The scenario in the field and you have a doctor present.....seldom in the field will you have a Dr. present and seldom nurses "practice" in the field.

Bleeding from something vital....vital what? Internal? you can't apply pressure to an internal organ. Seldom is a laceration "life threatening" unless an artery has been cut or a limb has been severed.

What exactly do you need know know and how does this help when you are just considering nursing? Most first aid courses even in girl scouts teaches you how to apply pressure it has little to do with nursing philosophy.

[cnacram]

It's a question that branches to more questions... It's actually just common sense, if you think asking the Doctor would be best way then do it. I do think experience will be your best teacher, so at first ask the Doctor then as you experience more thing, I'm sure you don't have to ask.

[kskarzin91]

No common sense would tell me to apply pressure not turn around and ask the doctor what to do.