Helen_

They do emit radiation when warming up

Dear all, I currently work in radiology, which is a whole new speciality to me as I was a ward/clinic nurse for more than a decade. I've been working in the department for three months. Today, I entered the room without knowing that the radiographer was warming up the CT scan machine. I admit that this happened out of my own carelessness. Usually an indicator with a red light turns on whenever the machine emits radiation. I failed to check before entering. The radiographer spoke to me and advised to be more careful in future. But, I am quite worried... Could the few seconds of radiation exposure harm me in any way? Anyone with similar experience? I might be over thinking this... I guess I need some assurances that I won't get cancer or anything...

I had in mind to send an invoice, as advised, next Monday. Fortunately, the daughter sent me an sms today, apologizing for forgetting to pay. I replied and said it was ok, given her circumstances, then we arranged to make an online funds transfer. Thanks for the advise. Fortunately, it all worked out well in the end.

Dear all, I currently work as a private RN, specializing in palliative care. On Tue (06/01/15), a patient I had nursed for three months passed away from end-stage ca. Her daughter forgot to pay me two days' worth of salary. Seeing that she was grieving for her mother, I left her house without asking for payment. I felt it just wasn't appropriate to ask for money in light of the situation. Her daughter and I got along well. She always made payment on time. This time round was the only exception. Should I continue waiting until she remembers? She has my contact number, and, vice versa. I'm not sure how to go about doing this in a sensitive manner. Should I wait a week or two? How long is too long? Any sound advise would be appreciated.

I was just a stand-in for the primary day-time nurse. She wanted to take a day's break, so, I was called to nurse this patient for a day. Didn't even know there was a doctor who was going to visit. Fine. My fault.

I read through his medical notes, and, found out he was prescribed charcoal when he started having diarrhea. Nil drug toxicity/OD. He no longer has diarrhea. He is straining and passing hard stools, bit-by-bit. I could not find the physician's number. He doesn't visit everyday (according to the medical notes). Anyway, I just hope I don't get my license suspended for this. My agency doesn't have a policy for this sort of thing. Feeling pretty despondent.

Hi all, I am a new member, but, truth be told, I've been browsing the forums for years. I am a 30-y/o career switcher who used to work in an overcrowded, understaffed, govt hospital. I have gone private and was nursing an 87-y/o patient today who was straining very badly while clearing bowels. I was there just for one day, covering the primary daytime nurse, who needed a break. The doctor advised to pass the message that patient is to be given a fleet enema and dulcolax tomorrow, at the same time. This is due to patient's constipation. As I was not familiar with this case, I did not realise that patient was prescribed charcoal TDS. The doctor was gone before I could request to r/v meds. His number was nowhere to be found. Patient previously had diarrhea, but, no longer. It was not a PRN dose, but, I decided to withhold the charcoal in view of his straining. I wrote it down black and white in my report, not intending to hide it. The night nurse saw it and I got a helluva verbal lashing from her. I'll try to look past the verbal lashing... Will I get into trouble for withholding a non-PRN medication?