Brittany had a patient that was ready for discharge home. She was worried about several things still going on with him and wanted the NP and/or physician to see him prior to his leaving. Thankfully she waited. This patient became labored with his breathing, heart rate and blood pressure increased, along with increased confusion and agitation. Chest x-ray and lab work found he had a pneumothorax resulting in a chest tube insertion. Later on the patient was diagnosed with sepsis and liver/hepatic encephalopathy. Brittany saved this man!
I am sure he would have come back via the Emergency department but the timing and Brittany's excellent nursing assessment prevented this from happening.