CEK223

I believe it was in his nares, but I am not 100% certain. I was originally told he was on rule out isolation. Then later in the day, my precepting nurse told me his culture came back positive. I realize now I need to start asking for further explanation since a + result can mean different things. He was on contact isolation only, and numerous times my cooperating nurse wore only gloves when dealing with him. But then again, she also cut one of the fingers off her glove when starting an IV on him. Yikes...

Hi, I am currently in my last year of nursing school. I have worked with numerous patients who are MRSA+, but the actual transmission has never been explained to me. During clinical this week, I was working with a MRSA+ patient. I had gloves and gown on for 99% of my interactions with him. At the end of the day, I went in with only gloves to fix a beeping IV pump. During that time, the patient tried to get out of bed to use the bathroom, felt dizzy, and grabbed onto my bare arm for support. He did not have an active infection on his skin, so I assume he was just a carrier. Should I be worried about MRSA transmission from that contact? I immediately washed both arms, but I am still nervous. Thanks for any input...

I am a nursing student, so I don't have the first hand experience everyone else has, but my program has ingrained in us that "pain is whatever the patient says it is." We are not to judge their pain level or how well/poorly they are dealing with it. SC patients have a shortened life expectancy, have sc crisis to worry about, and have very little control over their circumstances. My advice would be to imagine walking just one day in their shoes and understand that they are angry at their situation, not you. Treat them with patience and compassion no matter how much they test you. It may not be easy, but it's your job.