was i wrong?

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Specializes in Rehab and skilled nursing.

Hi, i am a fairly new nurse. ive been working on a rehab floor in a ltc facility. yesterday, while i was passing meds, the aide called me to check on a resident because he was not responding. I went inside the resident's room, called him by his name several times but didnt respond at all, his eyes were just open, he was breathing, he was perspiring and he was a little cold when i touched him. Cant obtain BP. Oxygen sat was at 87%. I put him on oxygen. Called my supervisor for help. I asked her right away if i should call 911 since this might be going on for more than 5 minutes and she said yes. So i called 911. Went back to pt room and tried to get his BP and it was 80/60. When EMT arrived, after 2 mins, the resident started to talk. Eventhough he started responding, we still sent him to er for evaluation.

now, the unit manager and the other staff nurses are questioning me why i sent the man out. I told them the whole story but they keep on talking behind my back and saying that i was wrong. btw, the resident was admitted to the hospital.

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If your charting says what you posted here what the blazes are your other employees thinking?

Unless the resident was DNR, hospice, or palliative care what the heck else are you supposed to do, wait and see if he dies?

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Specializes in Rehab and skilled nursing.

yes everything i wrote here, i also documented on my notes. I dont know why theyre mad that i sent the man out. just this morning this coworker of mine questioned me. i told her the whole story and asked her "what do u want me to do then?" and she kept quiet. its so hard being new at work coz it seems that they dont trust you with your judgement that much.

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Specializes in Skilled geriatric nursing care.

When you become a nurse, sometimes you just get a "gut feeling"... sounds to me like he may have had a TIA... transient ischemic attack. I've had residents that have gone unresponsive for a few minutes- cold, clammy, eyes just sort of glazed over. "Something" was going on- it's always better to do what is in the best interest of the pt- was he a dnr, full code- these are things you have to learn with experience. I have been an LPN for 2 years now- and I'm still learning. But you don't want to risk having your resident go into a cardiac episode... even though it's a nursing home, LTC... does not mean that the resident doesn't deserve medical attention when needed. You never know where a blood clot could travel. So don't worry about what the other nurses are saying- you stand your ground, be proud of what you are doing and know that you did what was the best approach in patient care. Just ignore the talk behind your back... that happens a lot and you just have to feel that you are doing your best as a nurse. :yeah:

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Specializes in Post Anesthesia.

Arm chair quarterbacking is a favorite passtime in nursing. I worked a lot of places and I have NEVER seen a nurse given the benifit of the doubt when it comes to making a complex clinical decision. You could raise the dead and other staff would still question whether you should have raised them sooner, or higher, or at all. I wish I could tell you it will get better- it woun't. Get comfortable with your own decisions and it makes no difference what the arm chair quarterbaks have to say. By the way: this arm chair quarterback thinks you did a fine job and made all the right decisions (but what do I know).

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I would have done the same thing if after a minute or two PO2 was not back up. If your supervisor agreed that is what she is payed for. Think about how you would have felt if you had played hero and the patient had died. There will always be some one who knows the right answer after the event has occured. It is almost always better to play it cautious.

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Specializes in Rehab and skilled nursing.

he was a full code. i was also thinking he might had TIA. Thanks so much for your response, i really appreciate it, makes me more confident. :)

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Specializes in ICU.

"its so hard being new at work coz it seems that they dont trust you with your judgement that much. "

ur so right. I remember my first code, and the comments I got from Sr. nurses saying everything they would have done different. Something I hate about nursing is the culture of belittling amonst nurses. Well you know what it's something that you learn from, and in your specifc case I think you did everything you could. I'm sorry you have to go through that but it only makes you stronger and more confident in your nursing practice! :nurse:

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Specializes in Critical Care.
Hi, i am a fairly new nurse. ive been working on a rehab floor in a ltc facility. yesterday, while i was passing meds, the aide called me to check on a resident because he was not responding. I went inside the resident's room, called him by his name several times but didnt respond at all, his eyes were just open, he was breathing, he was perspiring and he was a little cold when i touched him. Cant obtain BP. Oxygen sat was at 87%. I put him on oxygen. Called my supervisor for help. I asked her right away if i should call 911 since this might be going on for more than 5 minutes and she said yes. So i called 911. Went back to pt room and tried to get his BP and it was 80/60. When EMT arrived, after 2 mins, the resident started to talk. Eventhough he started responding, we still sent him to er for evaluation.

now, the unit manager and the other staff nurses are questioning me why i sent the man out. I told them the whole story but they keep on talking behind my back and saying that i was wrong. btw, the resident was admitted to the hospital.

That says that you made the right decision.

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Specializes in ER.

You did exactly what I would have done.

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As my daddy always said, "It is better to overreact than underreact!" Sounds like you did the right thing.

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You handled it perfectly. The man was hospitalized so not sure what they are whining about other than liking the sound of their own voices. Hold your head high that you helped a patient in need.

Also, don't feel the need to explain yourself and go on and on. You handled it properly and don't need to explain this to 20 other co-workers. A simple, "Patient needed additional care and was admitted" should suffice. Say it kindly but firmly and go about your work.

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