Things you learned the hard way? (funny)

[tryingtohaveitall]

I'm sure we all have many stories to tell on ourselves how we learned something the hard way.

The first one for me was learning that it's not a good idea to squat down to a little boy's level when you're assisting him with a urinal. Also, that leaving a gown down as a 2nd barrier isn't a bad idea either.

Good thing urine's sterile, right?

[MinnieMomRN]

when you go in to spike a new bag, make sure you invert the old bag BEFORE you unspike it :)

Oh how I wish you had posted this gem before last Monday...

:smackingfD'oh!

[nrsang97, BSN, RN]

I'm not sure how many can appreciate this one, but don't FORCE too much air into a bottle of Mannitol. (We haven't used bottles of Mannitol in a very long time, just for the record. ) When the top blows, you will be covered in white crystals, lol!

Haven't done that one yet. I have learned that Mannitol is very messy. I usually have it all over me, my scrubs, and the counter. This only happens when we have to give it emergently.

I also have learned the hard way to seperate the vaccutainer tube from the vaccutainer before disconnecting from the a line port or you will get a shower.

[LovingNurse, BSN, RN]

I have a bad habit of throwing away carpujects. So I always just draw the medication up.

Do not inject air into a carpuject cartridge. Morphine is very, very stinky.

Blew the end right off with a POP and a SPRAY... One of those times you're embarrassed anyone saw... but then glad they did so they could witness the obvious waste!

[ShayRN]

OH! I forgot the most important one! Take the tourniquet off BEFORE you remove the needle from the vein.

[elizabells, BSN, RN]

When learning how to do an H&P during your Community Health clinical, take a moment to think about where you are before asking someone how their mother died. If you are in a prison, don't be shocked if the answer is "I stabbed her."

[DDRN4me]

it doesnt matter how cute a confused, agitated little old lady is...STAY AN ARMS LENGTH AWAY!

just ask the side of my head, lol

that goes for upset young children too!!

[DDRN4me]

That there is adhesive on ostomy bags, but they only work if they are actually exposed to the patient. And I was so proud of myself for having placed my first ostomy bag, LOL.....

Fortunately, it was on a neonate and not someone much bigger :).

it is not a good idea to try and get a cold ostomy bag (the kind with the adhesive gum) to fit. warm it first. you and your pt will be much happier (and cleaner)

[kellye]

don't try to inject blood from a line draw into the vacutainer...just let the vacutainer suck it out of the syringe and when it stops don't push the plunger to put all the withdrawn blood in the tube! (just trying to help lab use all the blood i withdrew...after the blood spewed everywhere i believe i had to redraw, can't remember that part, only the violently spewing blood and the mess to clean up)

also, when withdrawing mucomyst from the vial...do not inject air first. just withdraw it. that also will spew everywhere and smell like rotten boiled eggs!

[DDRN4me]

beware of very full foley bags!!! make sure you have a very large container to empty it!

[SaraO'Hara]

I have a bad habit of throwing away carpujects. So I always just draw the medication up.

Do not inject air into a carpuject cartridge. Morphine is very, very stinky.

I got a faceful of Dilaudid today injecting air into a carpuject cartridge Good thing I wear eyeglasses!

It ended up as "Okay, Katherine, you get to witness that waste..." to the nurse who was laughing her butt off at me.

[VivaRN]

When a patient says "Gosh I feel nauseated all of a sudden" GET READY!

[elizabells, BSN, RN]

That there are myriad ways in which a newborn baby can cause you actual physical injury.