They called 911 & sent me out. I learned a lesson!

[lovingtheunloved]

I was at work and wasn't feeling so hot. I was short of breath, and felt like there was a brick on my chest. I'm thinking it's anxiety and I went along doing my last rounds. So the nurse trots over to the ADON and they check my pulse ox which was 98%. But my pulse was 169. The ADON says keep an eye on her, and I go back to work. I was VERY confused. I couldn't remember my room assignment (and I had made the assignments!) and I couldn't figure out what I was supposed to do. The nurse made me sit in the lobby and said she was going to get her paycheck. (She went to find the DON but she knew I'd hide if she told me that) The UC walked by and by that time my hands and arms had gotten all contracted and I couldn't move them, and my legs were starting to do the same. My mouth even got stuck in this funny pucker. So the DON called 911. They carried me out on a stretcher in front of God and everybody. Probably the most embarrassing :imbar moment of my life. They said it was because of hypokalemia. Whatever. They gave me potassium pills and discharged me.

Now I'm a CNA, and I'm pretty good about privacy and dignity and what have you. In the ER, they had to do the butt-naked body survey. I couldn't stand, so they had to throw me on the gurney. I have a brand new appreciation for what my residents go through. How scary it is to have to trust that you won't be dropped, how embarrassing it is to have to have someone dress and undress you (I couldn't use my hands) and have people looking at your naked body. For all the embarrassment and now the gargantuan bill, I will be a better CNA because of it.

[lovingtheunloved, ASN, RN]

It's interesting you mention bananas, because the ER doc said "forget bananas, you'd have to eat 15 and hour for the next year to get your K level back to normal" I'm sure he was exagerating, but I went and bought a potassium supplement. And as far as follow up, that costs money and I don't have any. I have no insurance, and I make too much for AHCCCS. So I just have to wing it.

[moonchild20002000]

I hope you are feeling better.

It is a humbling experience to be the "patient".

I am concerned about your follow up.

Does your state have a health Dept?

Are there any clinics that base fees on your income?

[Ex130Load]

Previous posters have covered it very well.

In descending order of priorities, (1) you're doing well and we're glad to hear of it. (2) What the heck caused the hypokalemia? (3) You want to prevent a reoccurrence. (4) As for your embarrassment, don't sweat it. Had you been my patient, I'd have focused on your recovery, not your vulnerability, your exposure, or your undies. I've been in your shoes, don't relish the feelings of helplessness, and am thankful for those who looked after me when I couldn't.

[abundantjoy07, RN]

Treating residents with dignity and never exposing more than you're working with is sooo important to me. When I was getting my training as a CNA, the lady that was helping me completely stripped this man down. It was AWFUL!!! He was laying there embarassed while the CNA was explaining bedbaths and pericare. Oh my gosh...I just about died. The room was cold, well-lit, and he shared a room with another person. On top of that he had 2 sets of eyes looking at him. I felt terrible because he lost his dignity that way. This CNA was so involved with getting things done quickly that she wasn't aware of anything else! I couldn't get a word in edgewise. Dignity is important and it should not be forgotten. But, I think as long as you recognize a resident/patient as human as yourself and not as a number or diagnosis they will be appreciative.

Just for the record, I always treat my residents with dignity. I never expose more than what I'm working with. I do everything I can to protect their privacy. This experience simply made me understand what it's like.