katherine schirmer, RN, BSN

Katherine was caring for a patient during her chemotherapy treatment when the patient's husband mentioned in conversation that he was feeling ill. He complained of feeling dizzy and lightheaded. Katherine observed that he looked pale and short of breath. She then took his blood pressure and noticed it was very low. After some encouragement, Katherine had received permission to call his primary care physician to inform them of the situation. The patient was seen at the walk-in clinic immediately. He was then transferred to the hospital via ambulance for an abnormal heart rhythm, atrial fibrillation. The patient and her husband were so appreciative of Katherine's attentiveness and persistence so that he sought help. They were told that it saved his life by the doctor in the hospital.