FlorenceFrightengale

In my case, I'd text Dr. McNotSoDreamyInTheEnd with "potassium came back - 3.2." or "chest x ray is up - please look at." He'd put the orders in. I wouldn't even say the patient's room number - it was someone we'd already been discussing in person or on the phone. Still wrong, though.

Never underestimate the strength of a confused little old lady

It's not good practice. I can say this because I've done it. I was dating a doctor and would text him back and forth about orders. Never once did a patient's name get used, but I realize that this was still a terrible thing. What if somehow my cell had been confiscated? (Especially since there were certain other texts that we wouldn't want management to find out about!) *slaps self on wrist*

She has home infusion services. She is not terminally ill. Social work and case management are involved. She will resume home infusion with the same visiting nurse agency when she is discharged to home - which should hopefully be soon because her blood cultures finally stopped growing MRSA long enough for her to get a new PICC. We are having to give her the Demerol IVP because we don't have Demerol PCA in our hospital. I have not been her primary but have helped with her as charge nurse so I can't say I've had much time to investigate her history. I was just wondering if this was commonplace anywhere. I've worked in the hospital for 8 years and have never heard of such a thing. Also, a reputable pain team is in charge of her meds. Psych has seen her a few times and does not have much to add.

I have a patient who, at home, was receiving a continuous infusion of Demerol through a PICC line for undiagnosed abdominal pain. Apparently she is allergic to just about every other pain medication (Toradol, Morphine, Dilaudid, etc.) so the Demerol is her only option. She came in due to line sepsis. Perhaps I am a little uneducated on this. I thought Demerol was being phased out for the most part due to neurotoxicity. I have not given it in quite some time. Also, has anyone else cared for a person in this situation? She is walking and around and completely with it. It's crazy.

Incubate? How old was this patient...still an egg? Sorry, I had to! As y'all were...

I work MedSurg and while I couldn't do it forever...I love that I use my skills! I also see all sort of diagnoses and have patients with a variety of medical histories. But those skills? They do NOT go to waste!

Hi babaloo! Some institutions call it "KVO," or "keep vein open," and it's a rate of 20 mL or 30 mL an hour - 0.9 Normal Saline Solution is used. I usually only use this when I'm running an antibiotic on a syringe, a PCA pump, or Y'd with a Potassium or Magnesium Rider. In the case of the PCA, the pain medicine is not going fast enough to ensure the IV line does not clot off - so it needs some "help" from a running drip. As far as the antibiotic or the Riders, these medicines are harsh on the veins and sometimes cause burning. The patient feels better if these medications are diluted with saline. I hope I helped! I just woke up and haven't had my coffee yet! Welcome to the board, I'm new also! My name is Brittany.

One night at work, my friend, a tech, was complaining of having to pee more often than usual and being very thirsty. I have no idea what possessed me, but I checked her blood sugar. (She had no medical history, is in her early 30s and has no family history of diabetes, either). It was over 400! Can you say newly diagnosed diabetic? I marched her butt to the ED!

At the beginning of the shift, I let the patient know I'm there until 730 and that although I'll physically peek in every hour, I don't wake him or her unless necessary. I'll give a little plan, "you have a heart monitor so I'll be needing to wake you around 4 AM for vital signs then at 6 AM for your Synthroid pill, otherwise I'll peek in but let me know if you need me if you don't see me. I'll make sure you have your call bell handy." When I round I check to make sure the bed alarm is on (if warranted), call bell and personal items are within reach and the patient is breathing evenly. If the patient is incontinent or a turn, I will obviously check him or her every two hours or more often.

You did the right thing by bringing her in to see a physician. I hope she is doing better now. Anyway, I think a lot of us are this way due to our knowledge base. I have given myself every disease known to man by now! It can be hard to separate ourselves and our loved ones from what we are learning, or what we are seeing in our patient population. This is very common. I'd like to say it gets better...but at least it shows that you're learning!

You forgot option 4 - drink it yourself.

This is crazy. I was a member of an online community as a teen that was very close-knit and I guess I just believed everyone. I never gave my last name, home town or phone number out or anything, but we all knew each other very well. I would be terribly hurt if I learned that any of my online friends were fake! I guess I am also naive because I have no clue how one would even verify these types of things. Location, age and gender perhaps, but medical history? Gosh I am curious about the entire story! Bad me!

Then it is not acceptable as an order unless there is a REASON for the PRN. For example, the order "Ativan IV PRN" is not acceptable...as it could be PRN for anxiety, seizure, ETOH withdrawal, even nausea!

"No food at home" - middle aged male Another middle aged male with laceration to genitals after a drunken manscaping session An entire family came in to be treated for bedbugs "I'm upset because I had an argument with my mom" - grown woman "I need my soiled briefs changed"