While rounding on 10 tower yesterday Keri made a connection with a patient and their wife after they moved out of ICU. The patient has been very ill to the point where the physicians have mentioned hospice. The patient has a wife who is very distraught and states we just need to get him home. Keri noticed when the patient arouses to cough he sounds very wet and was holding his stomach. Keri went to get an incentive spirometer (IS) and educated the wife and the patient on how to use the IS. During this Keri was looking at the patient's chart and saw an abdominal x-ray that was questionable. She went into the physicians' lounge, spoke to the physician, and got a CT scan ordered and found a large impaction that is now being treated.
Today upon leader rounding Keri noticed there was a marked change in the patient's wife's condition. Yesterday the wife was up looking for coffee and walking fine. Today she was diaphoretic and very weak. Keri began talking to her and noted she needed food as she is a diabetic. Keri got a wheelchair to put the wife in and took her down to the cafeteria, bought her lunch, and ate with her. At times the wife would cry and Keri offered a calm silence while then encouraging her to think of other times. At multiple times during the meal Keri would ask, how is your vision, shaking... do you feel your strength regaining or do we need to take you to the ER? The wife then was returned to her husband's room where Keri provided hygiene care and assisted her getting cleaned up and changed after another long night in the hospital. Keri changed all her linens and did her hair. The patient's wife feels better and is in better spirits.