EmptytheBoat

EmptytheBoat

Med-Surg, Rehab, MRDD, Home Health

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All Content by EmptytheBoat

  1. Projectile Vomiting just prior to death

    EmptytheBoat posted a topic in Hospice, Palliative

    I've had two cases within the last few months, pt. w/projectile vomiting just prior to death, both cancer patients. I've explained this to the families as the body's method of expelling the buildup of...

  2. Hospice nurse advice

    EmptytheBoat replied to cherokeesummer's topic in Hospice, Palliative

    Dear cherokesummer, Please don't worry yourself at this time with possible mets, nothing to be done. From your origianal posting, it appears to me that your FIL is imminently dying, and your focus...

  3. Urine smell reduction?

    EmptytheBoat replied to cherokeesummer's topic in Hospice, Palliative

    Dear cherokeesummer, Excellent suggestions from ktwlpn, you may also try a tray of cat litter under the bed, cat litter will absorb some odors. I would also address the source, possible UTI and/or...

  4. Projectile Vomiting just prior to death

    EmptytheBoat replied to EmptytheBoat's topic in Hospice, Palliative

    Dear NurseCherlove, Thanks for your input, you had some excellent thoughts. Bowel obstruction may have been a factor especially with one of the two patients, she had rapid growing tumor(s) in the...

  5. Projectile Vomiting just prior to death

    EmptytheBoat replied to EmptytheBoat's topic in Hospice, Palliative

    Thank you leslie, I was hoping for your input. Best guess with my two patients would be metabolic imbalance, both patients had extensive, rapid growing tumors throughout their bodies (sarcoma and...

  6. Assisted Living question...

    EmptytheBoat replied to AtlantaRN's topic in Hospice, Palliative

    My experience with assisted living is not good, and unless you are willing/able to provide continuous care, it is unlikely that symptoms will be managed as the patient's disease progresses. The ALF's...

  7. Projectile Vomiting just prior to death

    EmptytheBoat replied to EmptytheBoat's topic in Hospice, Palliative

    No warning on impending vomiting, both patients semi to fully comatose, non-responsive to verbal stimuli at the time. Neither had brain mets, both had extensive tumors, thus my assumption of the body...

  8. Elevated temperature - question

    EmptytheBoat replied to cherokeesummer's topic in Hospice, Palliative

    Dear cherokeesummer, I'm glad the fever responded to Tylenol. There have been other threads here regarding elevated temps, some Hospice nurses treat the temps, others don't. Others here have addressed...

  9. First Hospice Experience....enough to bring a man to tears

    EmptytheBoat replied to Atl_John's topic in Hospice, Palliative

    Dear Atl John, Dying isn't always pretty, but it's challenging. You present as a very compassionate guy, and Hospice is all about compassion. Best wishes and God

  10. LVNs in hospice

    EmptytheBoat replied to river1951's topic in Hospice, Palliative

    Hello River, Here in Louisiana, LPN's are used as mc3 describes in Florida, LPN partnered with RN to manage a case load. I've mostly worked with a part-time LPN, or a shared LPN (with other RN case...

  11. symptom management for dummies

    EmptytheBoat replied to captain morgan's topic in Hospice, Palliative

    Don't wait until he gets worse, titrate medication until you get your patient comfortable; and let your total assessment determine his comfort level, use your

  12. Question about fentanyl patch

    EmptytheBoat replied to sukichaz's topic in Hospice, Palliative

    In this situation, the pleural taps are pallative, and Hospice needs to step forward. Your mother needs to be supported throughout, but issues need to be addressed and resolved, denial/avoidance...

  13. It's 4pm, who does the 5pm admission?

    EmptytheBoat replied to AtlantaRN's topic in Hospice, Palliative

    Why the rush to judgement? Drive-by Hospice? Where's is your coordinator/administrator? Is marketing dictating nursing care? What pallative care can you provide with this

  14. make a good palitive care nurse?

    EmptytheBoat replied to love2shop's topic in Hospice, Palliative

    Spelling and literacy would be a start. Best

  15. Question about fentanyl patch

    EmptytheBoat replied to sukichaz's topic in Hospice, Palliative

    Duragesic came out with a 12 mcg patch, I understand they are expensive, relative to higher strengths, but gives another tool when titrating

  16. Question about fentanyl patch

    EmptytheBoat replied to sukichaz's topic in Hospice, Palliative

    Dear Sukichaz, I'm sorry your Mom (Happy Mother's Day) is going through this but what a loving and supporting family she has. To answer your questions: (1) You don't necessarily need to taper down...

  17. Need tips when charting after the death of a patient

    EmptytheBoat replied to skittlebear's topic in Hospice, Palliative

    LPN's in Louisiana are invaluable, we couldn't manage without them. skittlebear, don't fret, not much to chart on a death; no pulse, no

  18. What does it mean...

    EmptytheBoat replied to jerseyRN's topic in Hospice, Palliative

    Being a Hospice nurse means that God has entrusted you with the compassionate care of the terminally ill to transition from this life to the next in peace and comfort, and to provide strength and...

  19. HELP! Nosy pt family member driving me crazy

    EmptytheBoat replied to RN4ustat's topic in Hospice, Palliative

    As a fellow Hospice nurse, I'm empathetic with your situation, psychosocial issues are challenging. Sometimes it's difficult to distinguish if someone is being nosy or genuinely concerned. Once I...

  20. hospice, family and thank you

    EmptytheBoat replied to mim-o's topic in Hospice, Palliative

    Dear mim-o, I'm sorry you and your family are going through this experience with your loved one, and I'm thankful that you have a good Hospice team and your loved one is comfortable. Hospice is a...

  21. Doing an admission with the social worker

    EmptytheBoat replied to RNSUEIA's topic in Hospice, Palliative

    I've had it both ways, SW helpful with consents and allieving some of the families' fears; then, merely present to complete their psychosocial assssment and distracting/delaying the admit. I've also...

  22. A Serious Problem

    EmptytheBoat replied to windsong's topic in Hospice, Palliative

    Dear Windsong, I'm sorry your posting was not an April fool, if I were to think of an April fool for hospice, or either a nightmare, I couldn't have come up with a more demanding situation. I can't...

  23. A Serious Problem

    EmptytheBoat replied to windsong's topic in Hospice, Palliative

    April fool or just a

  24. My experience with hospice

    EmptytheBoat replied to CityKat's topic in Hospice, Palliative

    cookie102, the fact that the patient (and/or family) does not want to officially sign on with hospice may have been the cause of your frustration. If taking call, you should of had access to the...

  25. Palliative sedation position paper

    EmptytheBoat replied to IDidIt2007's topic in Hospice, Palliative

    mpingo: I'm a hospice nurse, I've worked with/for several different hospice organizations, and I've not been made aware of any specific protocols concerning medication. Each pateint is assessed and...