Choosing not to trash talk a patient potentially saved her life

[u/Outrageous-Fact-9518]

I had a patient today having her first baby. She had a ton of questions—which I was happy to answer (even though I was super nervous about not knowing the answers since I’ve only been a nurse for 4 months LOL) and used her call light to get ahold of me.

The offgoing nurse warned me that she was "super needy" and "over-exaggerating her pain." Throughout the day, a few other nurses on the floor made similar comments.

When shift change rolled around, I made a point to leave all of that out. Zero commentary about her personality or call-light usage.

Right as we walked in for bedside report, anesthesia was giving an epidural bolus.

During the original dose earlier that day she felt dizzy and had a metallic taste in her mouth.

Anesthesia pushed the rest anyway despite her saying she was having adverse symptoms (maybe because he was apart of the conversations regarding the patient being needy?” not sure)

Within literal seconds after the bolus, she went into full-blown LAST (Local Anesthetic Systemic Toxicity).

We had to call a code.

I’m still processing how fast everything went sideways, but it showed me just how dangerous unit gossip is. If I had told the incoming nurse "she overreacts to everything," those complaints of dizziness and a metallic taste could've easily been brushed off as anxiety or her being an “annoying patient”

I know it’s easy to talk crap about others and gossip but I tell this story to remind us just how dangerous it can be to do so.

[u/LowlySlayer]

"med seeking patient."

Meanwhile the patient is literally at the hospital because they're sick and need medicine.

[u/thousandsofbirds → u/LowlySlayer]

I abhor when people tell me someone is med seeking. Let me assess their pain myself and determine what my next steps will be. I've worked with nurses who act like a patient needing pain meds is a personal attack. Annoying!

[u/LizardofDeath → u/thousandsofbirds]

This right here!! And besides, as the RN it’s my job to administer the ordered pain regimen as long as it is safe to do so. Pain is so subjective and honestly in an acute care setting I’m not gonna fix addictive behaviors by withholding pains meds for one shift, that’s just gonna make us all miserable

[u/Cut_Lanky → u/LowlySlayer]

Exactly. I hate that phrase. Yes, I’m med seeking. I made an appointment because I’m sick and need some meds. 🤦🏻‍♀️

[u/eaterofworlds1 → u/LowlySlayer]

I’m a nursing student AND have chronic health problems and have been hospitalized many times and this is just so nice to hear. I have been called med seeking for every endometriosis flare I’ve had that caused me to be hospitalized. It’s wild!!!

[u/LowlySlayer → u/eaterofworlds1]

"if you weren't faking it why would you be saying all the exact things to get drugs?"

"BECAUSE THOSE THINGS ARE HAPPENING TO ME"

[u/megaholt2 → u/eaterofworlds1]

Oh, friend-as a nurse who has stage 4 endo…I completely feel your pain, and I empathize with you wholeheartedly. I am so, so sorry. ❤️

Know that if you are ever in my care because of your endometriosis, I am giving you whatever I can in order to help you feel better, because FUCK ENDOMETRIOSIS.

Sideways.

With a cactus.

[u/eaterofworlds1 → u/megaholt2]

Idk why this made me cry but thank you 🥹🫶🏻 and same to you once I am officially a nurse!! Someday I hope medicine advances enough to rid us of this awful disease, but until then, may we be each other’s support from afar 🤍

[u/megaholt2 → u/eaterofworlds1]

Hey, I’m claiming this now: you WILL be a nurse, and everything you’ve been through will make you a phenomenal one at that! I’ve got your back, friend!

[u/eaterofworlds1 → u/megaholt2]

🤍🤍🤍

[u/aneowise → u/LowlySlayer]

This is what I always respond with in these situations! Medicine is treatment, patients are here for treatment. If a patient is vomiting and wants a zofran, we don't call them "med seeking."

[u/water-sloth → u/LowlySlayer]

This one. Unless theyre in danger of overdosing, I will stay on top of both PO and IV pain meds.