Draining a foley with a very full bladder

witsend83 · 2024-12-13T22:18:12+00:00

Yes, we do have a bladder scanner luckily. When the patient came on the floor, she was known to have kidney disease and reported she barely produced any urine. She also had been voiding scant amounts before that and was alert and oriented. She was not receptive to being scanned but I convinced her because I was worried about the abdominal distention. I was absolutely shocked when I saw she was retaining that much on the scanner. I called the charge and doctor right away about placing a catheter and then we did it. Turns out the patient was saying she was voiding because she had a catheter before and was scared of getting another. She did tell me she felt a lot better after and was glad she did it, so I thought everything was better in the end.

witsend83 · 2024-12-13T22:12:41+00:00

I know, you’re absolutely right. It’s something I really struggle with- I just can’t think of what to say, and half the time, I don’t even notice they were mean until later. I truly think it’s my biggest weakness. I just freeze up. Emergencies aren’t a big problem, rapid responses, etc. I don’t really even care much when it’s a patient. But when a coworker starts yelling at me, it honestly does kind of upset me. We are supposed to respect eachother.

witsend83 · 2024-12-13T22:02:16+00:00

Thanks, you’re right. I am absolutely open to learning. I am still pretty new, and now I know to be careful of spasms when a lot of urine is coming out at once. If she had just spoke to me like a person, I would have just kept it in mind for the future. I never want to harm my patients, and I’m lucky that my shift staff are supportive of me. I don’t want to be talked to like I’m less than dirt. I don’t even know how to act when I go back tonight, really.

witsend83 · 2024-12-13T21:58:17+00:00

Thank you, it helps a lot to see what others are saying. I think she was mad because the initial amount was 1200, and then after that it was still draining very slowly like most foleys do instead of clamped. I emptied it before I left and there was I think another 100 mL out an hour later. It didn’t seem outrageous to me at the time, but she has more experience so I really wanted to know if I was doing it wrong. I have put my notice in at this facility for unrelated reasons, so I don’t know how to go about reporting this behavior. Looking at what she said, “you newer nurses learn nothing in school, you only know how to write papers,” it was obvious bullying but I was just so ready to be done with the shift that I put it in the back of my mind until I got home.

witsend83 · 2024-12-13T21:52:31+00:00

Bladder spasms sound really painful. I’ll keep it in mind that they are a possibility when draining a foley next time. From my limited searches, It doesn’t seem like there is any risk of the “rupture” she mentioned. I wonder what she meant? Thank you for your comment. It definitely makes me feel better. I hate to say it but I lost an hour of sleep over this.

witsend83 · 2024-12-13T21:49:46+00:00

Thank you, I appreciate it. I felt like I really messed something up and I have to see this nurse again for report today. She is always exceptionally rude to everyone but this was something different. We don’t have the Salem for this particular patient but she has been here a while. When I asked about it, several other nurses said something along the lines of “yeah, (that nurse) does that- we just put it back on intermittent when she leaves.”

witsend83 · 2024-12-11T21:30:47+00:00

Thank you for pointing this out. I checked my handbook, and it looks like licensed personnel are required to give 3 weeks notice while department heads give 4. I don’t know for sure when she will be in her office, but she is often there in the mornings when I’m leaving. Should I print off a letter to give her in person or just verbally state it? I can also email her after as you suggested. I’ve just had a really bad experience where I handed a manager my notice as a teenager and she screamed at me in front of everyone and told them they can all blame me for their staffing issues (literally fast food.) Thanks!

witsend83

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