healer65

Does your institution have a rapid response team??? Many do, having them see the patient and then advocating as a second pair of eyes helps. If not, another seasoned nurse or supervisor. Also are there other doctors on the case?? Sometimes updating another physician on the case may produce results. Depending on the severity moving things up the change of command will help or the physician over your unit.

It really goes to show that nursing has done a terrible job educating the community and sometimes the others that we work with what RN's do! Little things we do everyday save peoples life . . . like sitting at the desk looking through the chart making sure a med order doesn't kill the person were giving it to ect. ect. RN's more and more need to be FBI agent with their assessment skills and their ability to put all of the pieces together to best serve and protect their patients and to direct care. Guess what??? with the responisblity and education comes the money.

Everyone has gotten off track here. No, one has answer her question. . . . . What can I say to a family member??? It is a valid question . . . how about . . . I care for your father. I feel frustrated that I am unable to control your father's pain and help him breath more comfortably sometimes releasing a bit of stress allows me to think more clearly and come up with alternative plans to help my patient.