Solid Gold

I had an elderly female patient in PACU yesterday, who had just gotten a knee replacement. As she was being hooked up to the PACU monitors, her gown got a little sideways, briefly exposing her nether regions. We immediately covered her with a warm blanket as she burst out laughing. "Girls" she cackled "you best not show that to the crowd. It'll blind them. It is solid gold!"

Family in the Recovery Room

Does your hospital allow family members to visit patients in the Recovery Room/PACU?

My hospital does, and some nurses really do not approve. It is all that I have ever known, so I am used to it. I absolutely think that parents of young children should be back there. Also when we have had confused or developmentally disabled adults in PACU, a familiar face and voice truly helped them calm down and relax. However, if a patient is asleep or we have not yet gotten their pain under control, I would rather wait to bring a family member back. What do you think?

Quote of the Day- Political Version

I was talking to a cardiothoracic surgeon yesterday. He was discussing the controversy regarding presidential candidate Herman Cain and the several complaints of sexual harassment lodged against him. Bear in mind this is the surgeon who when he saw me dressed up for my interview with the PACU, told me that he would give me a glowing recommendation based on how I looked in my dress.
His take on the Cain/sexual harassment controversy:

"Well, I don't see what the big deal is. Now if the media was showing a picture of him with two naked strippers with his hands up both their twats....now that would get my attention."

I'll bet it would, Sir, I'll bet it would.

Happy Halloween to my Friends in Obstetrics

A nurse friend sent me this

Calling All Dermatologists/ Dr. House Where Are You When I Need You?

What is this stuff? I used to see rashes all day in ER and urgent care, but this is a new one. I first thought it was a ringworm, fungal type of thing, but I'm not sure that the mild antifungal cream did a whole lot. It has been on the legs, top of feet and now very prominently on the back. I finally took the little guy to the Nurse Practitioner, who was not sure what it was and prescribed a combination antifungal/steroid cream. The Medical Assistant who triaged us  in the office was positive she knew what it was and it looked like she had been around a looong time and had seen a lot of kids, but the Nurse Practitioner would not commit to a Dx. The cream seemed to do the trick. He has has not had the cream applied for several days now, and the rash is still gone. Opinions?

Urology News

Eel enters man's penis in spa treatment, is surgically removed


Ewww. That is so not my idea of a day at the spa. Can you imagine the urologist's response when informed of the patient's chief complaint?

Question of the Day

This question was posed to me by a brand new nurse, but is something that I have also wondered about in the past.


"Why do so many Respiratory Therapists smoke?"


Any ideas?