Venturing from food blogging...

I know, my blog is supposed to be about food.  But, considering I can't eat it, I've decided I want it to be whatever I want it to be :) So we'll just go with that ok? Ok.

It's interesting the way experiences in your life seem such a waste of time but benefit you later on.  I started my career in the CVICU for four months before going through a long and painstaking process of less-than-kind mentors and a transfer to my current floor (which I LOVE).  This experience is not one I like to dwell on and was a time of LOTS of tears and anxiety.

So last night, we had an admit around 11:00 at night.  The patient wasn't assigned to me, but to a nurse that I am friends with and actually went to school with.  I was standing next to her when she was receiving report from the paramedic and overheard at the end him discussing with her an EKG strip he wanted her to have that he obtained while transporting to our facility.  He showed her a first degree heart block that was showing up and mentioned in passing that her abdominal pain worsened in accordance to when this happened.  He wasn't sure if they were related but wanted to let her know.  A red light went off in my head and much of my training and learning from the CVICU started flooding my thoughts.  1st degree heart block = nausea.  CLASSIC SYMPTOM!  I also was able to be at the desk while my friend was discussing the plan of care with the doctors and heard them dismiss the EKG a couple times telling my friend it wasn't a great concern due to a KUB (kidney, ureter, bladder scan) that came back showing fecal compaction. 

The problem with some care providers is that they are so anxious to find an answer and solve the problem that they don't think outside the box.  It is so important to think abstractly! 

So the doctors left saying they would be back soon and I immediately approached my friend.  I told her about my red light and what I knew from working in the CVICU. Not only that, the girl was looking like crap (as we call it so tenderly).  I suggested to her that she really advocate for the patient to transfer to a cardiac monitoring floor (since we don't have that capability on my floor) because she was most likely experiencing this heart dysrhythmia.  (see image below in case you want to know what it is). She went to our manager and called a few other doctors to obtain another EKG. 

Surprise surprise, she had 1st degree heart block.  Transfer to PICU = done!

I am so grateful for everything that I learn and all the knowledge I am able to obtain each day in my work environment.  The great thing about my career is that it is an never-ending learning process. I get to expand my mind every day!  And in turn, ensure the safety of the adorable kids I get to take care of.

  

There is one major component to 1st degree heart block.  The interval between the small wave before the large one is too long.  This often times is benign and nothing to worry about.  However, if there are signs and symptoms the patient is experiencing, then action needs to be taken! 

Sorry that was super intellectual and not entirely entertaining :)  BUT I was so grateful and so excited that I could use my knowledge that I wanted to share it with you!

Love you all!