curiousitykitty

Beachy, all I really have to do is identify if there is a potential medical emergency and call 911. That is in my job description... Pt uses chewy keys (traditional "baby" toys) as an alternative to constantly grinding teeth. There have been times that she had a piece of the keys come off and get stuck in her throat-causing a coughing fit... So that's what I was afraid of.

I understand now that I screwed up... I should have tried to help the pt get to bed but mom just seemed done with me at that point... I talked to staff about it and I think next time I will ask before going to do that kind of check. Simply saying that I'm a little concerned and asking if it's okay before going ahead with it. I mean... I think I could be overanalyzing the situation as well... Other staff told me that if mom is upset she verbally says so and she didn't... So I'm just not sure I'm just so afraid of messing up in any way (whether it's upsetting the family or letting someone get hurt or sick) ... I dont know

@libby, i felt like I was given attitude for checking on something that could have been a serious issue. Yes it resulted in pt getting out of bed, but wouldn't you rather be safe than sorry? I feel under appreaciated...and other people on my staff feel the same way with this pt's mother

So this is my first post, and right off the batt I want to say that I'm not a nurse. I'm a personal care assistant and skills trainer to a 19 year old pt who has severe developmental disabilities (dx PDD NOS). The other day she was in her bedroom hacking and coughing. Mom went up to check on her as I was helping little sis (15 y/o with severe ASD) make something for dessert. Mom comes down and says nothing is wrong. About 10 minutes later the pt was still coughing a lot and it was about time for me to leave. I was getting a bit worried about the fact she was hacking still (this was random dry hacking, not related to apparent cold or chronic condition)... I wanted to make sure she wasnt turning blue on us or something (even if 10 minutes ago she was fine). So i go up and check, pt is fine but now wants to come downstairs and run a muck. Its time for me to leave as it's the end of the respite session and bedtime for the girls.... But the looks I got from Mom could kill... I just was upset because I was checking to make sure the daughter was okay before I left... in part to cover my ass. She seemed pissed that I confused the pt...making the pt seem like it wasn't actually time for bed. It was an honest mistake and I just wanted to know that she was okay. But I just felt crapped on because I had accidently caused her to come downstairs where she would need supervision... and I also happened to be leaving. Does this happen to anyone else? Do you guys get the ugly eye for doing the right thing? I get that the point of the respite care is to get pt fed,bathed,and off to bed... but I didn't want to just let her hack, leave, and wonder if she had choked all night (people with developmental disabilities can just swallow things and die, its one of their leading causes of death)... the point is the mom seemed more concerned with the fact that i messed up her routine than the fact that the kid was coughing like crazy... you know?