More ICU Shenanigans

Today I worked alone in the cardiac ICU. I have been missing the patient contact/conversations, because all of my patients have been intubated/sedated of late. Today, however, I had the opportunity to talk with all of my patients (except for one). The first patient created a bit of commotion in the ICU. I was talking with him (and he apparently was very confused) when the doctor walked over. I introduced myself to the doctor, and he asked me why the patient had received a clear liquid tray. I told him an order had been placed for it on the 7th, and he proceeded to tell me the patient majorly failed his FEES on the 7th and should not be eating/drinking at all. Subsequently, the doctor walked over to the patient to explain that he should not be eating and would have to take the tray away. The confused patient was not too fond of this idea. He looked upset then raised his fist in a ball and said to the doctor, "I am going to punch you if you take my tray." The doctor informed the patient that would probably not be a good idea. The patient kept shaking his fist and the doc smiled at me, and we waited in awkward silence for about 2 minutes (painfully long). Then the doctor said once again he would have to take the tray. The patient must have forgotten in the mean time his previous anger because he said ok and off went the tray. Funny story.

I also presented my case study today. It went very well, and I feel like all the dietitians learned something (hopefully). I talked about perforated marginal ulcers as a complication of roux-en-y gastric bypass surgery. Fun stuff.

Tomorrow is my last day in the ICU... then off I go into the world of pediatrics! Hope all is well.

Rachael