Stepher Gale

oh yeah! that is the number one thing i learned in nursing school is to always check on my patients. usually at the beginning of my shift, i go to my patients rooms to introduce myself, ask about pain, etc. especially to make sure that they are alive & breathing. in the morning before i leave, i go through again (0500-0630) while passing meds, doing assessments, etc. to ensure that my patients are alive & well, because i have no problem staying a few minutes late to ensure that they are all alive, pain free, & happy. also, i try to go into each room (even when they are not my patients) at least q2hrs to ensure everyone is still breathing!

Thank you for your posts! I am starting to feel a little better knowing that stuff happens. I have only been a nurse since June & passed the NCLEX in July. I just feel horrible! I enjoy hearing more experienced nurses crazy situations. I realize this won't be the only time something horrible like this happens, however, next time I will expect it! Thanks again!

That is horrible! I would have cried like a big fat baby for days had this happened to me! I am starting to feel a lot better because I realize these kinds of things happen, and my lady stroking without me picking up on it is nothing compared to your situation. Definitely a learning experience! Thanks for sharing!

I probably am Bi-Polar as well. I definitely have many seasons that change very quickly. However, you like everyone else has the right to privacy. So, I wouldn't disclose that you are unless absolutely necessary. Plus, as long as you are you doing your job, I wouldn't worry about it. However, if your moods get in the way of working, then maybe it is time to start some medications. There are some that do NOT cause severe sedation. My friends husband takes Lexapro and it manages his symptoms very well.

Thanks everyone. I feel a lot better now that I know how I am going to learn from this experience. After all, good judgment comes from bad. I just feel really bad because I did not even suspect it. I thought the signs she was exhibiting (particularly the drowsiness/sedation) was associated with the Ambien. I wasn't even looking. However, unfortunately after a week of kicking myself, I now know how I will change my ways to prevent this from occurring again. I know the stroke was NOT my fault. However, I feel at blame for not picking up on her symptoms. Even though she was not a candidate for TPA from her surgery, I still feel somewhat responsible. Around 0230 that morning, my aide even told me while we were in the room messing with her foley, etc she thought something was wrong. I explained to her about the Ambien, etc. RED FLAG! Anyways, thank you all for your words!

Do you maintain a set schedule? As much as possible on nights? I work night shift also, and I always take a small nap the first night back on the job. Then, no matter what time I get home in the morning, I always wake up at 1430-1500. The first few weeks are hell, but your body gets used to it eventually. I do this because my other days off I have to do a normal person's circadian (up during the day & sleep at night). I hope you find something that works for you.

I take the Ginseng tablets and they do not make me nervous or jittery like the diet pills. I haven't experienced any side effects from taking the Ginseng. It helps to boost your energy & mental alertness. Also, I have taken Vitamin B Complex in the past which REALLY helps with mental/emotional fatigue & exhaustion. Since I work 12hr night shift, I usually take 2 tablets of Ginseng prior to going to work, and they really help. Especially by my third night in a row, I need it! Hope this helps!

One of the things that helps me is taking Ginseng tablets & wearing the support hose *knee high. The combo is better than nothing, and I can really feel a difference in my legs after working 12-14hr nights. Hope you find something that works for you. Also sounds like a viral issue.

I had a very bad night on Tuesday. Had eight patients & started the night running. Had two patients on PCA's, one patinent wanting pain med q 2hrs on the hour. Two of the getting out of bed and alarms going off, and one of my patients stroked out in the early morning, and I didn't even catch it. I had given the patient 10mg of Ambien at about 2130, and the patient was out! I feel so bad because I watch my patient's like a hawk, but I overlooked the signs because I thought it was the Ambien. I am really starting to rethink this career choice working in the hospital at nights. However, the work load sounds very simliar to mine.

1) Have they ever taken Levaquin before? If so, how did they tolerate it? 2) Allergies? 3) Run it as prescribed (too fast can burn the vessel).

I have been upset for almost two days. All I can think about is replaying the worst thing that has happened to me this far in my nursing career. The other night I had a patient who had a total knee replacement. Everything was fine... Patient requested Ambien for sleep. So I gave the patient 10mg of Ambien. From previous experience with this med, I knew the patient would be out for most of the night if not all of it. Throughout the night, I went in to check the hemovac, a focused assessment. Patient was out! VS normal, etc. Anyways, come early morning about 0600 here comes the doctor. Notices that the patient's arm is flaccid. My poor patient had a stroke throughout the night. I thought the drowsiness/sedation was associated with the ambien, not a stroke. I have put in IV's, catheters, etc. on/in patient's after taking an Ambien without them even waking up. I did not find this one to be any exception. I feel SOOOOO Bad. I keep on replaying everything I saw & did through my head. Has anyone had a terrible event like this happen to them?

I have been upset for almost two days. All I can think about is replaying the worst thing that has happened to me this far in my nursing career. The other night I had a patient who had a total knee replacement. Everything was fine... Patient requested Ambien for sleep. So I gave the patient 10mg of Ambien. From previous experience with this med, I knew the patient would be out for most of the night if not all of it. Throughout the night, I went in to check the hemovac, a focused assessment. Patient was out! VS normal, etc. Anyways, come early morning about 0600 here comes the doctor. Notices that the patient's arm is flaccid. My poor patient had a stroke throughout the night. I thought the drowsiness/sedation was associated with the ambien, not a stroke. I have put in IV's, catheters, etc. on/in patient's after taking an Ambien without them even waking up. I did not find this one to be any exception. I feel SOOOOO Bad. I keep on replaying everything I saw & did through my head. Has anyone had a terrible event like this happen to them?