Silverlight2010

1. Patients with ongoing issues, i.e have been having problems with chronic pain, joint problems, GI issues.....not necessarily the reason they were admitted, but it is still a problem. When the doctor is in to see them on AM rounds, they consistentl...

Give gifts, no. Exchange of contact information, no. Errands or favors...we take that on a case by case basis. Who is asking? What is the favor/errand? Why is the patient unable to do this themselves? Patient have any ulterior motives? Are any staff ...

The dumbest thing I've ever heard was "we can't give this patient ondansetran because he's not a cancer patient" We use it for our heart patients when gravol and maxeran just don't cut it.

I work in a critical care unit that stocks 22, 20, and 18s on our supply cart. We do have 16s and 14s on our crash cart but I've never seen them used. I use several criteria in my selection. I look at the size and condition of veins (and arms). What ...

We still use syringes and draw from vials of insulin. Do you have individual pens for each patient?

The problem with this is that what it takes for the patient to be satisfied and what is good nursing care (or is even practical) are frequently two different things. I work on a unit that often receives high praise from patients (not clients or custo...

A complaint that you did a great job but just didn't spend enough time in her room afterwards? This is a complaint worthy of wasting anyones time? Maybe the patient needs a gentle reality check along with the patient advocate and manager who thought ...

The nurses on one unit back when I was a student would confiscate the alcohol and lock it up, making sure to document how much was in the bottle. Can't have a patient that is drinking in their rooms. Not safe to administer many medications if the pat...

I'm a little curious and am wondering what is your specialty or area of employment? Your only three posts all contain the theme "if you can't handle the families then find a different profession". A lot of families are truly scared and stressed but m...

I'm just wondering if someone could fill me in on who pays for the drinks, sandwiches, guest trays and so on. Is this a "cost of buisness" or does the patient end up paying for this on his or her bill. I can't imagine insurance companies footing the ...

If I had a nickel for every patient that didn't ring to report chest pain (or other "I need to know about this" type symptoms...). My favorite is the patient that reports chest pain long after the fact to the cardiologist during rounds but never let ...

There is a pharmacist here that does flu clinics and I've seen him do IM injections.

A coworker and I both had patients like that about a week or so back. Rapid-fire questions and "requests" but wouldn't let you finish a sentance. Somehow expected us to be mindreaders in the process as well. A lot of "I want" and "go get me" but woul...

Isolation and non-isolation patients rooming together to save on sitter costs? Wonder how long that will last after the first lawsuit by an outraged family/ SDM if the non-isolation patient becomes infected. Housekeeping duties? When do they think th...

Where I work the consulting doctors, or occasionally their residents will come and see the patient in person. I'm unsure what they would want to know that could be determined over the phone unless it's to arrange something specifically prior to their...

I've cried at work and I came home today fighting not to cry. Had a situation at work that pushed me so far out of my comfort zone that I'd need binoculars to find it again. My patient was still alive at the end of the day but for a few scarey minute...

That's really inappropriate. A sick day is a sick day and hounding you both over it is beyond unaccaptable.

What kind of insulin would she be on that testing her sugar twice per week is sufficient?

No option either for those of us who work rotations that include both day and night shifts

Where I work it's always been at nursing discretion. We just chart reasons for doing so. Might be a different story if the K+ was critically low and the patient was symptomatic. Even then I would try to come up with something that would allow me to r...

^^ In agreement here. Steep learning curve and you never really stop learning. I had a big learning curve this morning and just try to take it all in and become a better nurse.

I'm kind of shocked to be honest. I've worked as a sitter and never had problems getting help from the other staff, including the nurses. I'm an RN now but if I have a patient with a sitter and they get out of control I'm in to help and then dependin...

Wow. Giving the med is the right thing unless the patient isn't tolerating it or the order has changed.

I'd give it. Vanco is generally once a day. I'd just note in my chart that the patient was away from the floor at time med was due and make further note of when it was administered. Alternatives could include starting the infusion before departure a...

Try not to worry about it. Easier said then done but I read what you've posted and get the picture of a patient that can ambulate to some extent and was probably otherwise progressing through recovery as expected until his daughter came and felt he n...