"I need you to pack my butt"

Nurses General Nursing

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I just got a knock on the door from my neighbor. I said "Hi, how are you doing? What's up?". He replied simply "I need you to pack my butt".

He has a big abcess on his butt and the packing came out in the shower. I said I'd do it after church and teach his wife at the same time.

Good Grief! :rolleyes:

I hope that you have your own personal . I completely understand being neighborly, but with the litigious society that we live in these days.....that is not something I would take on without insurance.

I also would have measured and documented the wound just as if I were at work, as well as the fact that HE asked YOU to do this and you simply did not offer to do it.

It is one thing to give some education or advice, but taking on physical treatments that are not covered under an emergency good samaritan law can be dangerous unless you CYA.

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That is so funny. I think that I am going to keep it a secret from my neighbors that I am a nurse.

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yeah, i suppose a nurse should document wound presentation and interventions.

you just never know...

esp in such a litigious society.

leslie

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Specializes in CMSRN.

I understand where everyone is coming from with their reply. Being that the OP felt comfortable then they did exactly what they felt needed to be done.

I would do it but the circumstances have to be right. Family/friends that are like family etc and within my scope.

If I felt there was even a bit of possible lawsuit I would definately not do it.

I do not feel that documentation is needed. If you are comfortable then so be it. It rates up there with having a party and everyone signing a release to enter your home , why have a party then.

I do not live life that way.

Thank you those who still believe that you can contribute without expecting in return.

I have many a times been given services (i.e. new roof at cost from a licensed professional) and goods at little to no cost. I try very hard to return the favor to others. I have only just been able to start contributing back. I call it "passing on the love" and "what comes around goes around".

I have only used my nursing skills when it comes to translating medical terms into normal language. This is what friends do for

each other and I would not want it any other way.

Our abilities are more than just money makers, they make up who we are and how we interact with each other.

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I have another year before I graduate, but I've already had so many people asking me for medical advice! I find it so humorous that 1) they think I know ANYTHING 2) that they would trust my judgement at all at this point in my education. I listen to their symptoms, ponder for a moment, then say, "Hmm, I think you should go see your doctor". I find it very amusing.:lol2:

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About a year ago I had the same situation. VERY obese neighbor called me (I live in "Mayberry'), said she was having a "female problem" and could I come by her house to talk. When I got there she admitted she had a tampon stuck inside her and could I retrieve it for her. I was so grossed out :no:. I told her she needed to call her GYNO.Every time I go down the hygiene aisle at Wal*Mart I think of her! Ah, the joy of being a nurse and having your neighbors know it!!!!

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Specializes in Cardiac x3 years, PACU x1 year.

It sounds like a boundaries issue to me. I wouldn't put my license on the line (hello, infection) for some one who came to my door demanding such a thing. People are so tacky.

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Pilonidal Disease. Trust me, I know all about it! LOL

The guy most likely has underwent a recent pilonidal cystectomy and has a large cavity wound that is healing from the inside out.

My mother-in-law was my caregiver for 2 good months after my surgery. My surgery was in 2002. I could not sit properly for 2 months and couldn't wear jeans for that amount of time as well. The wound took 5 months to completely heal. When reading my medical records, the c/r surgeon's NP wrote "non-healing" wound during most of my visits. I thought the doc herself was going to have to do something, but thankfully she didn't have to get involved during the end of my healing.

I know how people would react, though, to someone just out of the blue making such a request...:D)

I couldn't take care of my own situation, though (couldn't see back there :lol2:.

There are websites relating to this problem (pilonidal.org is the main one).

Hoosier

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Specializes in neuro, ICU/CCU, tropical medicine.
About a year ago I had the same situation. VERY obese neighbor called me (I live in "Mayberry'), said she was having a "female problem" and could I come by her house to talk.

She would have lost me at "female problem."

I'm a neuro nurse - anything below the diaphragm is not my department!

I wish.

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

"I'm a neuro nurse - anything below the diaphragm is not my department! "

This is great...what a good line to remember, neuro nurse or not!

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