When do you get a pt. out of bed after C/S??

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Jan 4, 2012

I don't understand....the order states "WITHIN 12 hours" so....you need to get them OOB before the 12 hours expires. If someone has a C-section at 0730...why has the patient not at least dangled at the bedside? I think the sooner patients are moved the better, unless there are reasons not to get them up like vitals or meds.

shortstuff31117 · Jan 4, 2012

I don't understand....the order states "WITHIN 12 hours" so....you need to get them OOB before the 12 hours expires. If someone has a C-section at 0730...why has the patient not at least dangled at the bedside?

Could you say that to the dayshift?? :lol2:

merlee · Jan 5, 2012

As soon as the pt is AAO, then dangle. Within the next hour, OOB in chair, walk to BR if necessary. The sooner the better!

I worked on a unit that got the pt's up very quickly. We also gave clear liquids WITHOUT a straw, and no carbonated beverages, as soon as possible. Every room had a rocking chair, as well. Our patients did quite well.

My mom was OOB in a chair within about 6 hours after extubation post-open heart surgery. She did very well.

Always as soon as possible.

MomBabyUnitRN · Jan 5, 2012

I also work night shift. Our C/S orders states within 8 hours. Generally, my patients recover in one room and after four hours, they are ready to walk to their regular room. They push the baby's bassinet and most generally do fine. Others need a little time, and that's OK.

rn/writer, RN · Jan 5, 2012

We get section patients from L&D about 2-3 hours after their surgery. I will let them rest for 3-4 hours. They are usually pretty exhausted and have had quite the adrenalin rush.

Some of the factors I take into consideration are--if the epidural has worn off and they can actually stand/walk safely; if they have been pushing the PCA button and have their pain under control (not a factor with Duramorph patients); how awake and aware they are, and if they are really sleepy, whether they are just tired or are they snowed; how the dressing looks.

I work eight-hour nights. If I get a patient before 0300, they will probably make a trip to the bathroom by about 0600. After 0300, I'll let them rest until day shift gets them up.

I can' imagine a patient lying there for 12+ hours without at least dangling or standing. The sooner they get up and get moving (within reason, of course), the better and quicker their recovery is.

It's amazing to me how motivated the section moms of NICU babies are to get OOB to go see their little ones. Yes, they usually make the first couple of trips in a wheelchair, but they have to stop in the bathroom to clean up before they go. Some of these women want to go down to NICU (even though they stopped on the way up from L&D), two hours after they come to us. We have to gently say no until we are sure they're stable and capable of being off our floor for an hour or so.

Your day shift needs some reeducation and more accountability. I'm sure many of the patients would be content to lie there for hours and hours, but the nurses who would allow that aren't doing them any favors.

You are right to be concerned.

serenity1 · Jan 6, 2012

We get our c-sections up within 6 hours and usually sooner if they are stable. It just depends on the patient.

CanadianGirl79 · Jan 8, 2012

I get mine up to dangle at the 8hr mark, when we do the baby bath. If they feel well enough, we walk to the bathroom and I give her a quick wash. Then at 12 hours, we go back to the bathroom and take out the catheter. After that, they are encouraged to get up often to get the gas out. :) We send them on "fart walks".

rn/writer, RN · Jan 8, 2012

:) We send them on "fart walks".

Hilarious!