When nurses get together in the workplace it only takes a minute to tell each other what their patient load is like. I work in CCU and it goes a little like this "I have a two day post CABG and a patient with new onset renal failure." We understand immediately what is meant by this description.
My Point of View...
Commentary by Larry Leeds, RN
Nurses are at risk every time we work. Knowing we are likely to be exposed to any number of harmful or fatal diseases and infectious materials. We all understand the chances we are taking and take them willingly enough. We accept the fact that we must take every patient whether they have Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), Tuberculosis, Hepatitis A, B, or C, infectious wounds and even good old influenza. We realize that with our profession we acknowledged that there were risks involved. Each of us is also at risk for a very serious problem that receives very little attention. Any patient may at any time choose to press assault or battery charges.
The nursing profession has a long-standing rule of practice, the q2 (every two hours) observe, turn, assess, and attend. This rule continues to be a standard, though many interventions may be carried out in a two-hour period. I would have to say turning patients is crucial.
