Twice this week I've had patients getting shoulder surgery, with leg ... complications. One wore a prosthetic, congenital absence of leg, and worried about getting it back on after. I said, no problem, I can do either, your choice. He chose to take it off eventually, I adjusted my positioning and charting. Good to really think about these details now and again.
Second had a recurrent leg injury, was in an immobilizer that needed to not flex more than 40˚, which he could lock, and I had him do so. Another adjustment in positioning and charting.
Being careful but not shocked by bodily differences and injuries is part of my job. Reassuring patients that I would easily deal, and listen to what they need, is my job. That it's true works in my favor. I have seen a lot of variations, some not often, but I've seen it. Or know of it, at very least. Funny how they are usually happy to talk about it to a knowledgable listener.
With the prosthetic guy, I went to his ankle to check his ID band, flipped the blanket away from his feet. Asked, "how high does this go?" And he took it from there. They know they have different needs, they seem to appreciate someone hearing them, thinking, making a plan, offering options. I'm pretty hard to shock.
Except by stupidity. Anything else I'm good.
2 comments:
You are brilliant..just treat things as a matter of fact. Gives them confidence
gz,
It's largely my training. And experience. But I do have to keep in mind how they would feel if I overreacted to their normal. Curious and competent seems to work.
Post a Comment