On an acute ward there is a 24yo girl who presented with Gillian Barre Disease 9/7 ago. I had seen her in the past but today she was taken of sedation and awake and responding to commands. She is currently on a ventilator via an ETT and therefore cannot talk. After I treated her chest she started to make rapid head gestures and I asked her if there was something she wanted. She tried to talk but was unable and just had the movement of her mouth. I went through a few issues that she was trying to talk about until it was concluded that she was uncomfortable and wanted to move onto her back as she was positioned in side-lying. I informed her that the turning team was coming but she started to cry and kept attempting to talk which lead to her BP and RR increasing dramatically. I attempted to calm her down by stroking her hands.
I felt panicky and really sad as this girl was around age and so vulnerable. The nurses assisted my supervisor and myself to calm her down and we advised the turning team to turn her next. She calmed down once turned and went to sleep. This situation touched me as I kept thinking this could be one of my friends or even myself.
THIS SCENARIO HAS REINFORCED THAT THE LACK OF ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE, ESPECIALLY IN AN AREA WHERE THERE ARE CONSTANTLY NEW PEOPLE COMING AND GOING IS A SCARY THING. IT FURTHER TEACHES US TO DEAL WITH A VARIETY OF PATIENTS AND EMOTIONS THAT WE WILL FACE IN OUR PROFESSION.
I BELIEVE THAT AS YOUNG PROFESSIONALS, SOMETIMES WE CAN OFFER MORE TO YOUNG PT’S BY RELATING TO HOW THEY MAY BE FELLING AND BEING ABLE TO PROVIDE THE ADEQUATE LEVEL OF SENSITIVITY AND SUPPORT THAT IS REQUIRED. I DON’T THINK I WOULD HANDLE A SITUATION LIKE THIS DIFFERENTLY IN THE FUTURE, JUST HOPEFULLY BE MORE PREPARED.
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1 comment:
I had a similar experience in the ICU with a Guillian Barre patient who was unable to talk due to a tracheostomy, however he still tried to have conversations with me. I think its important not to give up if communicating with someone is difficult and seek help from others around you. I can;t imagine anything worse than everyone ignoring you because you are difficult to understand.
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