Thursday, August 18, 2005

IV therapy escapades - part II (Uh-oh!)

Me: "Uh-oh."

Patient: "That doesn't sound good. What do you mean, uh-oh?"

Me: "Just a little tape sticking here, really no big deal"

Patient: "You need to be careful saying things like that when you're working on someone's central line."

Me: "Sorry. I'm used to the babies in the NICU. They don't notice things like that. Thank you for the reminder that adults can actually understand what I'm saying."

Patient: Laughs "Just don't do it again!"

That was my first day on the IV team. I saw him many more times in the 3 years I worked there - he was a regular, and always with a central line. He never let me forget that intro, either.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I used to like to start an IV, then after I was done turn to the patient and say, "Pretty good for my first time starting an IV, huh?"

I'd only say that to those who I had previously established as having a sense of humor (and a strong heart).

Judy said...

gypsybobocowgirl,
Shocked? I can see how that would be a problem.

One of our nurses told a parent that her baby's "belly blew up" (got distended) -- on the phone. Definitely a shocker.

d bunny,
You'd get along quite well with my middle son. He has quite a baby face and people ask him if he's old enough to be an EMT. He generally tells them that he turned 15 last week.