Stacey Samojedny
August 2016
Stacey
Samojedny
,
BSN, RN
Nephrology
Henry Ford Hospital
Detroit
,
MI
United States
My mother was transferred to the floor from MICU where she had been intubated for 2 weeks. Her recent illness came on as a sudden onset of symptoms rendering her short of breath as she was dressing to go out for the evening.
After a very encouraging day we saw Mom making a slow but steady positive turn. When we left Mom Monday night after a full day of visitors, activity (breathing treatments, chest x-ray, and dialysis) she was tired but talking and very aware.
When I arrived the next morning, it was as if someone had turned the light switch off. Mom's affect was flat, she didn't readily acknowledge me, her eyes appeared glassy, her gaze far away and she was lying on her back completely still - a huge departure from someone who had been constantly trying to climb out of bed. Her nurse Stacey appeared not too long afterward and began examining and assessing Mom. While talking to Mom trying to get her to respond to questions, Stacey performed a neuro check, took her pulses, had Mom's vitals taken less than 30 minutes prior redone, listened to Mom's chest, back and stomach, examined her extremities and nail beds, etc. Without having to say a word we both knew something had gone terribly askew.
Over the next hour or so, two EKGs were done; a portable chest and blood gases were drawn. I confess I can't recall how much time passed or who did what in what order. After palpitating Mom's back and initiating a gag response Stacey was able to have Mom cough up a bunch of gunk. The next thing I vividly recall hearing was Stacey calmly spelling out her last name on the phone as she requested the Rapid Response Team. After administering specific medications and taking her for testing, she seemed to be stable enough that we were able to leave for a short time. When I returned it was as if someone had turned the light switch back on. Mom was sitting knees propped up in the bed, smiling and waving as we entered.
I'm not at all sure what caused such a dramatic downward spiral between 7am and 8:30 am that Tuesday morning. I am absolutely convinced we were blessed to have Mom's care in trusted to an RN like this. I appreciate Stacey's perceptiveness in recognizing the early signs of clinical deterioration and calling the Rapid Response Team.
After a very encouraging day we saw Mom making a slow but steady positive turn. When we left Mom Monday night after a full day of visitors, activity (breathing treatments, chest x-ray, and dialysis) she was tired but talking and very aware.
When I arrived the next morning, it was as if someone had turned the light switch off. Mom's affect was flat, she didn't readily acknowledge me, her eyes appeared glassy, her gaze far away and she was lying on her back completely still - a huge departure from someone who had been constantly trying to climb out of bed. Her nurse Stacey appeared not too long afterward and began examining and assessing Mom. While talking to Mom trying to get her to respond to questions, Stacey performed a neuro check, took her pulses, had Mom's vitals taken less than 30 minutes prior redone, listened to Mom's chest, back and stomach, examined her extremities and nail beds, etc. Without having to say a word we both knew something had gone terribly askew.
Over the next hour or so, two EKGs were done; a portable chest and blood gases were drawn. I confess I can't recall how much time passed or who did what in what order. After palpitating Mom's back and initiating a gag response Stacey was able to have Mom cough up a bunch of gunk. The next thing I vividly recall hearing was Stacey calmly spelling out her last name on the phone as she requested the Rapid Response Team. After administering specific medications and taking her for testing, she seemed to be stable enough that we were able to leave for a short time. When I returned it was as if someone had turned the light switch back on. Mom was sitting knees propped up in the bed, smiling and waving as we entered.
I'm not at all sure what caused such a dramatic downward spiral between 7am and 8:30 am that Tuesday morning. I am absolutely convinced we were blessed to have Mom's care in trusted to an RN like this. I appreciate Stacey's perceptiveness in recognizing the early signs of clinical deterioration and calling the Rapid Response Team.