student nurse help

[PromiseRN]

The patient assigned to me has "multiple trauma" he fell off :confused:a latter. I barely met him today because he Was out having a stress test. My professor wants me to do a Care plan and a prep card. I asked her how...on a patient with "multiple trauma" if that's all the information I have she said look in my books. I did! Still no closer to having anything written down.... can u help?

[OCNRN63, RN]

You need to do your own homework. It should be relatively easy to think of the kinds of injuries that could result from falling off a ladder. I'd be willing to bet if you googled it you'd get ideas.

This is how learning works. Doing your own research, making your mind have to stretch. Having someone help you by giving you the answers really doesn't do you justice. It doesn't teach you to think critically.

[PromiseRN]

I just figured since a prep card is a medical diagnose and not having an actual dx. Is this assignment possible. I can't make things up. Oh he fell and now he has a broken rib. That's not a fact. And I do my own work and think critically very well. Don't attack me!!

[ZooMommyRN, ADN, RN]

Stop and think, if you fell off a ladder what injuries would you have and what might the treatment and nursing care be?

[ckh23, BSN, RN]

Multiple trauma is very vague. And the injuries from a fall from a ladder could be numerous or not many depending how far he fell. Was he at the top of the ladder or was he at the bottom? What caused him to fall? Did he lose his balance or did he have a syncopal episode? Also, why was he having a stress test done?

[OB-nurse2013, BSN, RN]

Could you not pull his chart at least? Otherwise if your instructor wants you to just guess and pick then I would go for something to do with activity intolerence, falling precaution or somthing like that. I would ask your professor what she's looking for. I hate that why is in nursing you should guess what is expected of you and then do not your best on an assignment so you can do better on the next. I just think it's dumb. I get that sometimes it's better to look things up, I always do that because then I remember it but you shouldn't have to just completely guess and wing an assignment, you should at least know what is expected or wanted from you especially if it's your first one.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

"multiple trauma" is not a diagnosis, and neither is "falling off a ladder." so you "barely met him," but you didn't read his chart to see what his injuries were?

next time, you will.

[ckh23, BSN, RN]

I think the chart issue may come into play that it might have been with the patient while he/she was off the floor getting the stress test.

[LadyinScrubs, ASN, RN]

Admitted because of "multiple trauma". Sounds as if this is an emergency admit and the MD is doing tests to determine what is wrong...cat scan, MRI, srays, blood work, etc. Hospitals are authorized to admit a pt for 24 hrs of observation to determine a dx, and whether the pt needs hospitalization or should be discharged. In this period of time, the hospital may do further tests and/or bring in specialists.

It is very difficult to do a care plan on a patient who has no DX or no information to work with. Of course, if the patient fell off a ladder there will be pain and brusing. BTW my cousin in-law fell off a 6 foot step latter in the garage. He hit his head, went into a coma, and within two weeks the family had to pulll life support.

Falling off a ladder can cause serious injury especially if the head is involved.

You mentioned the pt was off for a stress test. What kind of stress test--cardiac? Are they checking to see if the man had a synocope related to some cardiac problem? What other tests have been done or are schedled? What do his labs tell you?