Hey everyone! I live in a duplex,next door to an elderly couple, they just moved in about 2 months ago, and we don't know them well, but we are friendly when we see each other and they know I am in nursing school. Anyway, the wife just came over to tell me her husband had a stroke last night at about 2:30am. She was extremely upset and told me that apparently it is pretty bad, he is on a ventilator right now. She told me he had a clot & they gave hime some medicine, so I explained to her what it was (you know, the clot busting meds). She asked me what I thought about the ventilator, how long should she leave him on if he doesn't improve! I didn't know what to say.......I told her that hopefully he will get better, but if not, she has a tough decision to make. I told her that I cannot tell her what to do, but to think about what her husband would want, and what she wants.....and to discuss with his doctor what kind of obstacles he is facing if he recovers, that's all the advice I could give her. What do you say in that kind of situation?? I have never been faced with that, but I'm sure it will eventually come up again in my nursing career. Just looking for some advice from you seasoned nurses. Thanks.
