Wakemed 2nd week—cardiac rotation

I have seen lot patients this week in Cardiac floor. It was much different from Rehab Hospital even they belong to same health system. I need to do both paper and electronic chart for each patient, and even the paper chart is different. I have to learn it again from beginning.

I did several educations on diabetic (consistent CHO and calorie counting), low sodium diet as well as heart healthy diet. It was challenging at the first time, since I don’t know how detailed I need to explain to patients. It is hard to explain everything in 20 minutes, especially for patients don’t know anything about the disease, or even don’t care. I tried to follow the handout, then I found that patient only care about whether he can have fried chicken, French fries etc, not about how to control his blood sugar. I was frustrated at that time and felt nutritional education was useless to change pts lifestyle even they are medically needed. The dietitian told me sometimes it happened, just learn how to deal with patients with different need, it always helps them.

The other thing, I have interviewed one patient who were depressed after his diagnosed with CHF, and carry a lot of fluid in body. I talked to him about nearly 30 minutes. He was very open to me and told me how he struggle of his disease and life. I was proud of myself, since I did help him to feel better, not only for his food choice, and also, he has better understanding of his diagnosis and fights it. Patients felt terrible when they are at hospital, they always complain hospital food. The most important thing is not to restrict patients’ diet (for example, renal diet). The more they eat, the sooner they will recover from their illness. It is the most valuable experience I haven’t learned from classes!

Right now, I am familiar with hospital environment, and start to enjoy my internship, and ready to learn more.