AlexandraP

Hey guys! I'm a nursing student in my third semester and I'm new to this site. I had a quick question. My last few clinical rotations, I mostly took care of patients with traumatic brain injuries and patients on mechanical ventilators. I would talk to them about their treatments and stuff like that. My patients were A&O x0 so there was no pressure on me to hold a conversation. This semester I'm taking care of patients that are completely cognitive and aware of their surroundings. I'm kind of struggling with things to talk to them about. I get nervous when I go into their rooms and I worry that they think I'm stupid. What are some solid general questions I could ask my patients as I'm doing their assessment (other than 'How are you')? I need some things I could fall back on if I get nervous and can't think of anything that is specific to their status.

I am only a student but I can tell you that if it's something you want to do then you'll do it and you'll do a great job.

Hello. I'm a nursing student and I had a patient last week at clinical with Friedreich's Ataxia. My patient told me that her legs get horrible cramps at NIGHT and the pain is unbearable. They only give her Tylenol for it and she said it doesn't help. I noticed that your post is from 2009 and was curious if you found anything out about this disorder since then? Also, I asked my instructor if we could "adopt" this patient for the semester so she gets some extra attention from people (she's very depressed). Could you recommend any special nursing interventions that might help a patient with these specific conditions? I'd like to help her. Thanks in advance!