Hey guys, I have been lurking on this page for awhile, but never join. Today I want some input on this topic. I'm just really worried now.
The patient is a DNR patient on peritoneal dialysis. Patient also has active pneumonia. Infectious disease physician has order IV antibiotics on patient for the previous 2 days. Patient is a hardstick. None of the previous nurses or supervisors was able to start an IV on patient. Got report from previous shift nurse that patient has IV antibiotics ordered, but no one was able to start an IV. Well I managed to start an IV on her left forearm with her daughter at bedside. Her daughter didn't say anything, just told me I did a great job and was able to start an IV where other nurses wasn't able to. In morning report from oncoming supervisors. The morning supervisor suddenly told me the patient has a history of left mastectomy! I was so angry and horrified at the same time. No one told me patient has a history of left mastectomy. It was my first day with the patient. She only had a DNR bracelet. No limb alert bracelet.
Then the supervisor told me that patient's daughter told him that she had the mastectomy over 20 years ago, and she said it was OK to start IV on that arm, but he wasn't able to. I'm thinking why the hell he didn't tell me that in the first place. I went to the patient's room and clarify it with the patient's daughter. She did say her mom had it over 20 years ago, and that it was OK to start the IV there.
What I learn in nursing school is that it is not ideal to start IV on same side as a mastectomy. However, this patient needs the medicine. I'm just overly worry guys.