In the morning Brooke drove to the hospital. A few more days and I will be out of there. I need to get through the rest of this week. She found her next patient in cubicle three in the ambulatory surgical area. On the stretcher appeared a young female around the age of Marlee. Blankets were tightly wrapped around her body, covering her from head to toe. She started to shiver uncontrollably. A voice was heard under the covers, “I am so cold. Can I get another blanket?” Brooke found the controlled heater in the hallway and removed two blankets. She placed the warm blanket on the young girl. The patient needed to be treated as soon as possible for persistent bleeding. She was scheduled for a D & C resulting from a post abortion complication. Her mother sat next to her in preop holding room. Upon the initial interview and physical assessment the patient explained,” I had my fifth abortion yesterday and been bleeding ever since”. The young girl became breathless as she spoke. Brooke adjusted the nasal cannula and started the oxygen flow. “Do you have any medical problems I should be aware of?” She appeared as a frightened child. The young woman’s facial features grimaced, as she couldn’t control her breathing pattern. The rhythmic cycle of respirations became harsh and labored. It was obvious she was in pain. Brooke asked further questions about her medical history. “Do you have any heart, lung or kidney problems?” The young patient didn’t respond. She closed her eyes, and turned to her mother at her side. Brooke turned toward her mother and continued the repetition of medical history questions. “How far along was she in her pregnancy. Were there complications with the other pregnancies?” “She has one child who is 5 years old by C-section. Otherwise she is healthy”. Her mother responded, “Unfortunately, the birth control had not been taken consistently. She was not taking them on a routine basis”. The preop nurse walked into the cubicle. “I need to start an IV line”. Brooke stepped away and stood in the hallway. Kate, operating room nurse approached her and whispered into her ear,” “The patient began bleeding from the botched up abortion she had at the corner office.” As they prepared to take the girl into surgery, Kate noted that her blood pressure reading registered very low, almost impalpable. “She is tanking on us. Her BP is in the toilet. Her lab results indicate an extremely low hemoglobin”. Brooke immediately called the lab and ordered four units of blood setup for a type and cross match. The OR team continued down the hall at a rapid pace. When they arrived into the room she was moved on the surgical table. Her blood soaked sheets removed from under her. The OR nurse commented while placing her legs up in stirrups, “She is as thin as a rail, undernourished and probably dehydrated. This may end up as the nightmare we may soon regret.” The surgeon attempted to suction her uterine cavity as the blood trickled from within it. Unusual amounts of suction could be heard whereas the tubing quickly filled with copious amounts of blood. Within minutes one liter of
…show more content…
He snapped at her,” The patient knows the consequences. She is an adult. Speaking with her mother is not a viable option nor acceptable.” Brooke became irritated with the surgeon. He did not seem to care about the severity of the issue. She commented to him,” Doctor, do you realize this girl is using abortions as a form of birth control. If she has another abortion she will definitely lose her uterus. If not hemorrhage to death”. He gave no reply. A few minutes later, they took the young patient to the postop recovery area. Brooke asked one of the nurses to bring her mother to the recovery area. Upon finding her, she brought her to the bedside. Brooke prepared a well-thought-out statement for the patient’s mother and gathered the utmost effort of not being too emotional. She explained, “It is very important to understand that your daughter needs to abstain from another pregnancy. She needs some type of effective long-term birth control. She needs to heal fully from the trauma subjected to her uterine walls.” The mother gave no
He snapped at her,” The patient knows the consequences. She is an adult. Speaking with her mother is not a viable option nor acceptable.” Brooke became irritated with the surgeon. He did not seem to care about the severity of the issue. She commented to him,” Doctor, do you realize this girl is using abortions as a form of birth control. If she has another abortion she will definitely lose her uterus. If not hemorrhage to death”. He gave no reply. A few minutes later, they took the young patient to the postop recovery area. Brooke asked one of the nurses to bring her mother to the recovery area. Upon finding her, she brought her to the bedside. Brooke prepared a well-thought-out statement for the patient’s mother and gathered the utmost effort of not being too emotional. She explained, “It is very important to understand that your daughter needs to abstain from another pregnancy. She needs some type of effective long-term birth control. She needs to heal fully from the trauma subjected to her uterine walls.” The mother gave no