Would you ever ask another nurse to give your pt a suppository?

[iluvgusgus]

I am a skin and wound resource nurse for my unit and I have to do PU prevalence for my unit every wednesday. I have to turn 30 pts and assess their skin for PUs and clean BMs with the nurse if we find them, I even change dsgs for them of it is a PU underneath. I was taken aback when I was asked by 2 nurses yesterday "while im on that side can you place this suppository?" These are the only 2 favors I was asked to do all day also. I felt put on the spot and taken advanage of - I have never thought of asking another nurse to do this for me, I tend to think that people would prefer to do this as minimally as possible and you are expected to do the dirty work for you own pts. What do you think? Was I being a poor sport about it or were they taking advantage of me?

[That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

Prime the hatch its going in! Of course I would not mind asking and or doing it for others.

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

I couldn't answer the poll because you left out the option of not having a problem with giving it. You were only asked twice to help, and yet you felt put upon?

Edited poll to include yes to help teammate.

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

I couldn't answer the poll because you left out the option of not having a problem with giving it. You were only asked twice to help, and yet you felt put upon?

This.

None of the answers were appropriate for my thoughts per the wording of the options, because I never feel guilty about providing or delegating nursing care, nor do I have a problem giving suppositories since I am the poop whisperer in any position I have had.

[RNfaster]

I'd be fine with it as long as I had gloves on. :)

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

I take any and all opportunities to cluster care because that's what's good for the patient. Like a PP said if this were a trend and you were getting asked to do more and more things I would set some boundaries, but since a suppository takes 2 seconds to give I think it makes sense to do it when they're already on their side and have the area exposed.

[BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN]

I think if you're really upset that two coworkers asked you to do something to benefit the patient while you were in the perfect position to do it then you are going to be labeled as a Prima Donna. Rightfully so, IMO

[Tenebrae, BSN, RN]

Not a problem here either.

The only time it becomes mildly problematic is when one uses a bit too much lube and that little sucker goes every which way except where I want it:roflmao:

[shamrokks, ADN, ASN, RN]

I would ask to come in and insert the suppository myself while the pt was on their side.

This was the option I was looking for

[lorirn58]

I am a Certified Wound Ostomy Nurse and do all kinds of "favors" for my fellow colleagues all the time. There is nothing wrong with this and, hey, what else do you go to work for?

[lorirn58]

Why are you doing wet-to-dry dressings in your facility? Those are mostly inappropriate...

[ShesanRN]

I agree with those that encouraged you not to feel put-upon or taken advantage of. The patient benefited most by you giving the suppository then and there, and their needs should come first. If it bothers you to think of it as doing it for other nurses, just stay patient-focused and it'll be no big deal.

The fact that it was a suppository doesn't make it any different than any other procedure, imho. We nurses are all about the poop - I tell my two boys, who are currently obsessed with bodily functions, they should become nurses!

[psu_213, BSN, RN]

Edited poll to include yes to help teammate.

That would explain why everyone is saying "the choice I want is not there," but I've looked 4 times, and I do see it. Guess that's what I get for being late to the party.

FWIW, I would not have a problem asking if I was busy. If I weren't busy, I'd ask the nurse to tell me when he/she is going is, and I would give the supp. myself when the other nurse has the pt. turned.