Tina Harper
August 2016
Tina
Harper
,
RN
Surgery
Tulane Medical Center
New Orleans
,
LA
United States

 

 

 

Tina was assessing her pre-op patient, the patient's sister came with her and was intending to wait and then drive her sister home. As Tina continued her assessment, the sister made the comment that she had been having chest pains as Tina asked her questions about her chest pain; Tina became concerned and began to get the sister to agree to go to the ED. The more she probed, the greater Tina's concern, the more the sister tried to pass off the pain and symptoms. Tina discovered that the sister had heart problems in the past and had a prescription for Nitro at home. Tina was providing some education for the Nitro and the sister mentioned that she had arm numbness as well. Tina persevered and reluctantly, the sister agreed to go to the ED. Even on the way to the ED, she voiced concern that she had come only to take her sister home and would be fine. Fortunately the sister agreed to go to the ED, it turned out that she had a clot. She was treated and discharged. Both patients are very grateful and want to acknowledge Tina for not only using her nursing knowledge and judgement, but to continue to address and help the sister who was not interested in seeking help, it may not have been a successful outcome if Tina had not persisted.