Hey EMS people

[TexasR.N.]

Saw this a week ago, did it tonight.
Ever had a pt. who you thought was faking unconsciousness? We had a lady tonight, frequent flyer, drug addict, alcoholic yada yada yada. EMS calls in route saying she was unresponsive, only bad thing that she has is a D stick close to 400 (380 something), high, but not the end of the world.

Get her to a room, do the sternal rub, twist her pinky, jack with her eyes, nothing. Actually getting a little concerned. The lead nurse had this lady last week and says the sternal rub didn't work then either and she was playing possum then too. D stick rechecked and its 352. Get lines in her, cut her clothes off and all of that good stuff, still unresponsive. I think back to last week when I watch this doc take an 18g needle and stick it in this lady's toe to get a response.

What the heck, this current pt. seems like the right candidate. So I grab an 18g tell the other nurse what I'm gonna do. Pull her sock off (do this with caution!!! ) and jab the ol' big toe with the 18g. Guess who suddenly regains consciousness . She had started to pull back just before the tip of that needle contacted that toe, sorry lady I was past "Fail Safe". So it is an effective tool should you need it.

BTW, if you live here in Dallas, you'll be glad to know that your tax dollars have transported her to our facility alone over 50 times in the past year, no telling how many times she was taken to Parkland (where she was at two days ago....still had her ID band on) or one of the other hospitals.

Anyways, thought I'd share.
Craig

[Rodslinger]

Good lord! Well way to "wake" her up Craig.

[lifewitlooie]

So you jabbed a needle that had nothing in it into her foot?

[TexasR.N.]

After re-reading my post I can see where it looks like I was just being sadistic. I promise I was not standing there with an evil grin saying "Hey y'all watch this". But yes, she did get jabbed with a needle in her big toe.
Craig

[rednek01]

when that stops working do it between the the toe and toe nail that is a killer!

[rdc]

Originally Posted by HappeetxnR.N.

After re-reading my post I can see where it looks like I was just being sadistic. I promise I was standing there with an evil grin saying "Hey y'all watch this". But yes, she did get jabbed with a needle in her big toe.
Craig

A word missing here?
So what is her rationale for playing possum? Is it just for the room and board until she's released?

[TexasR.N.]

Originally Posted by rdc

A word missing here?
So what is her rationale for playing possum? Is it just for the room and board until she's released?

Yes the word not was missing and now fixed. As to why she does this playing the system, bored, no idea.
Craig

[Dirk]

Originally Posted by HappeetxnR.N.

Yes the word not was missing and now fixed. As to why she does this playing the system, bored, no idea.
Craig

I am ok with your actions.. sadistic or not.


I know for a FACT that I'd be grinning and saying "hey guys, watch this!" or "this is going on youtube!.

[Banshee34]

Originally Posted by rednek01

when that stops working do it between the the toe and toe nail that is a killer!

DOH!

Dude I started jerking my foot!

Craig, remind me to never fake a symptom around you!

Nice job!

[TexasR.N.]

Originally Posted by Banshee34

DOH!

Dude I started jerking my foot! Craig, remind me to never fake a symptom around you! Nice job!

Come on let's see the toesies.........In all seriousness, we had to find out if she was faking it or if this time there really was something wrong with her. Crying wolf can really get you in to trouble. Keep coming into the ER faking unconsciousness, and one day someone is going to say "She's just at it again" when she is really in distress, and then, well...............................

I do think I did a poor job of describing the events that took place. Jabbed should be exchanged for poked.

Craig