Ivy T Lewis, RN

Ivy was the nurse for a post-surgical patient the day after surgery. The patient struggled all night with low blood pressure and, therefore, had pain control issues, as the fear of giving pain medicine would make the blood pressure worse. The surgeon came to see the patient and said she was fine and could go home. Ivy questioned discharge with the blood pressure and pain control issues, but her concerns were dismissed by the surgeon.

In an effort to make the patient more comfortable with taking her pain medicine, she was prescribed pain medicine for home use; Ivy gave the patient pain medicine before she was discharged to monitor the outcomes while she was still in the hospital. As suspected, the patients’ blood pressure dropped lower, and a rapid response was called. The patient received a bolus and stayed another night. The patient and her husband, although frustrated with the surgeon, expressed gratitude and praise for Ivy for advocating for them and for ensuring a balance between pain control and patient safety. They felt they would not have had a safe experience had they gone home.