What's the worse thing you have seen?

Published

I'm sure it's plenty of threads on this but, I thought I would get an updated one. :D

What's the worse thing you have seen as a nurse?

Specializes in Med/Surg.
Was this skin condition "Stevens-Johnson syndrome"? It's a toxic reaction to a medication. I had it about once - it *was* really bad. I'm sure I must have been a sight -- I was completely covered or erupted in hives and swollen past the point of recoginition. I looked like I had been deep-fried. Very traumatic experience.

My doctor almost cried when she diagnosed me. She knew how difficult recovery was going to be.

I had a good outcome, though. I made a full recovery and have no visible scars.

I had a pt with this once. His was a different presentation. His skin sloughed off in big patches. Walking into his room meant walking through inches of dead skin around the bed that were like big feathers. It was quite disturbing. I'm sure housekeeping got sick of the "sweep up dead skin in pt room" calls.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

I'm sorry if I misunderstood the OPs intent. The lack of any reason why she wanted stories and the big smiley face in the post threw me off.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Pressure ulcers down to the bone are the most disturbing thing I have encountered. Fistulas are another.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Oncology, Medical.

The worst I've ever seen was probably the woman we received who was deemed palliative because the wounds she had developed due to neglect over time were too extensive. It was awful, emotionally exhausting, and ethically challenging for everyone.

Also, pronouncing death on a man in his early 30's with his wife and mother in the room, doing their best to stay strong and knowing that his toddler son would grow up without his daddy.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.

Watching several of my adolescent pts die before my eyes with their family at bedside. Comforting actively dying adult cancer pts. Suspecting a child has been sexually abused.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med Surge, Tele, Oncology, Wound Care.
The worst I've ever seen was probably the woman we received who was deemed palliative because the wounds she had developed due to neglect over time were too extensive. It was awful, emotionally exhausting, and ethically challenging for everyone.

Also, pronouncing death on a man in his early 30's with his wife and mother in the room, doing their best to stay strong and knowing that his toddler son would grow up without his daddy.

That is going to make me cry.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in oncology.

Hardest thing with my job - wounds aside, since I have a weak stomach - has been seeing patients in their 20s dying of cancer. Gets depressing and wears on you sometimes.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

The worst thing I have seen?

The absolutely pitiful spelling, grammar and punctuation of some of the Allnurses.com posters. Makes me wonder about the schools that are turning out nurses and who is awarding accreditation to those schools.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in None.

Roser13: I'm not sure if you are picking at me in particular... if so yes, grammar IS important and I am working on that, excuse me. I didn't know I was getting judged for my grammer on this site.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.
Roser13: I'm not sure if you are picking at me in particular... if so yes, grammar IS important and I am working on that, excuse me. I didn't know I was getting judged for my grammer on this site.

I have no idea who you are, so no. I was not picking on you. I was simply responding to your question about the worst thing that I have seen, since I don't believe in relating tales of pitiful patients.

But now that you've raised the issue I have gone back and read more of the posts. What does "intendent" mean?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I dont think the poster was trying to offend anyone, she was just wanting to swap "war stories" so to speak. I myself love hearing stories about the crazy things people seen. Not like they are all LOL moments or anything, some are, some are sad, some are like wow I didnt know the human body could do that and some are like wow people are dumb. If u have a real sad story u dont care to share dont, share a funny one or a story that made u think ***...... sometimes in the medical field, we like to know other people have a rough day, or a crazy resident/patient. Peace:heartbeat

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in None.

Roser13: Is was suppose to be intended. Do you feel better now?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion