THE POWER OF TOUCH
I worked as a medical/surgical nurse at a busy hospital and was young in years and experience when this happened. I had a patient to care for on my night shift along with eight others. This particular patient did not talk, move or even give me eye response when I was speaking to her. She was alone; no family. She was a DNR (do not resuscitate), no heroic measures for her, just let her be. She was on the telemonitor, which watches what the heart is doing, rate, rhythm, etc. After I did my initial assessment (like a physical exam), I repositioned her, placed pillows at the areas known to have skin breakdown (any bony prominence) and tried to make her more comfortable. Then I went to speak to the nurse watching the telemonitor for the shift so I could find out her rhythm, etc. to put in my nurse's notes. I was shocked when she pointed to the screen that displayed my patient, "This is what a dying heart looks like." I couldn't believe what I was hearing....