Scenario - need help

[malarwen]

So I have a question. I found this scenario in my leadership text book. I'm clueless because it does not give me enough information. A lot would depend on how dilated the pt. is and so on...would it be ok to call translation service and have assure the pt./explain what is going to happen and have the aide stay with her for a few minutes, notify physician and go check/administer meds (given she is not ready to push)?? Any suggestions?

You are a LPN in a 50-bed rural hospital that generally runs at 50% capacity. Because of the

census, staffing the hospital requires some critical thinking on the part of the nursing

management team. You have been a graduate for 1 year and work the night shift on

19 postpartum. When there are no new moms, you work the combined medical/surgical unit.

You feel good about your job because you are getting experience in a specialty area,

postpartum, as well as the basic med/surg experience you need as a new graduate.

The staffing on nights, generally, is one RN, a LPN, and two CNAs. This night you are

working on the med/surg unit because there are no postpartum patients. Suddenly, the RN is

called to the emergency room because of a two-person car accident. He takes the most

experienced CNA with him.

You make rounds on the eight patients you have and check to see when medications are due.

Things seem to be going well when the admissions clerk comes down the hallway with a

young (15- to 16-year-old) woman in a wheelchair. The young woman, whose name you

learn is Rosalie, is bent over and alternating between crying and screaming. She obviously is

pregnant, and because of her wet slacks, you assume her water is broken. She is alone and

only speaks Spanish.

The answer to this case study is to resolve the problem. Be safe, be legal, and be creative

with the critical thinking you will need to do in this situation.

[steffuturelpn]

i would say first do your assessment on the patient to make sure she is stable, then i would call for a translater, because communication is key, ur pt is a teen who might have a knowledge deficient, because of her age and situation, after clarifying things with this pt i would leave the aide with her, then notify the doc and after the doc assesses the pt if all is clear i would adminster meds

[malarwen]

Thanks steffuturelpn!!! That was what I came up with, too.