Nurse Scoffs At The Doctor's Warning She Might Feel Lightheaded In The Middle Of The Procedure, Proceeds To Faint Minutes Later

If a doctor warns you about something, you better listen; otherwise, you'll end up like this nurse who learned that lesson the hard way. OP (original poster) is a doctor in the hospital, and he recently had to perform a bone marrow biopsy.

He explained that it's a procedure where they have to go inside the bone, the "factory" of red blood cells, to obtain a sample. They use a special needle to access the hipbone while the patient is lying flat on their stomach.

It's a routine procedure done at the bedside and not in an operating room. OP said it's not as scary as it sounds, but it is usually completed within 20 to 30 minutes.

Recently, he had to perform this biopsy, and, as usual, he needed some assistance. Typically, it would be a bright-eyed medical student handing instruments to OP while he explains the procedure as he goes along.

This time, it wasn't a medical student who assisted OP. When he asked for help, they assigned one of the traveling nurses who were there to assist.

While prepping, OP expressed his gratitude for her help and noticed he hadn't seen her around before. That's when she informed him that she's a traveling nurse.

The doctor asked if she was a hematology or oncology nurse, to which she replied that she wasn't. He then asked if she had seen a bone marrow biopsy previously, and she again said no.

She also mentioned that she hadn't had lunch. OP thought this was a good time to warn her about the possibility of feeling lightheaded during the procedure based on his past experiences.

He said, "Just as a heads-up, a lot of people seeing this for the first time get woozy, so if you start feeling it, let me know." He explained that there's something about the needle pushing through the bone that affects people.

There is a scratching noise that you can hear as the needle scratches the surface of the bone.

People somehow feel the sound at their core. Doctors have to exert a lot more force during a bone marrow biopsy to obtain a sample from the inside because bones are hard.

Plus, when they pull out the marrow, they are technically extracting fluid from a vacuum, which can be very painful for the patient and those witnessing the procedure.

The nurse did not appreciate the warning and rolled her eyes at him. She huffed and said, condescendingly, "Don't you worry about that, honey. I have been a nurse for 15 years."

"I have been a trauma and ER nurse for most of that time. I have seen metal spikes and machetes pulled out of all sorts of holes in patients' bodies. I think I will be alright," she continued.

OP noticed that she was intentionally rude and antagonistic. He assessed the situation and decided not to confront her, choosing instead to proceed with the biopsy.

Minutes into the procedure, the patient grunted while OP was starting to extract the liquid marrow. In the background, OP heard a thud and found the nurse cold on the floor.

He called her name, but she was unresponsive. He had to interrupt the procedure and leave the sterile field to call for help for the unconscious nurse, who thankfully turned out okay after being treated in the ER.

readitonreddit34

Here's a summary of the story:

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The full version can be read below:

readitonreddit34 readitonreddit34 readitonreddit34 readitonreddit34 readitonreddit34 readitonreddit34 readitonreddit34 readitonreddit34 readitonreddit34 readitonreddit34

After 15 years of experience, she thought nothing could faze her.

BeatSalty2825

But after more than a decade, that was not the lesson she should have learned.

Slurms_McKensei

Just to make the image more vivid, another nurse shared the sound of the procedure: "crunchy crunchy."

Brianthenurse

Just imagining it elicits a visceral feeling.

[deleted]

We hope so, three.

Metallbran88, readitonreddit34

It certainly wasn't the doctor and definitely not the patient.

Narrow-Big7087

If you feel something, say something before you become another patient.

No_Shallot_6350

It's the hubris, man.

readitonreddit34

By the way, doc, why aren't people sedated for this?

Situation-Slow

Apparently, they do, but just for some people.

readitonreddit34

Sometimes you don't even feel the effects before it's too late.

sandeejs

Is it too much to ask for her to apologize?

Decent-Activity-7273

At least she was fine—embarrassed but fine.

readitonreddit34

The world keeps turning because of petty people.

heidimark

To sum it up, she was wrong for acting haughty when OP was warning her, and she delayed an important procedure.

schnurble

After 15 years of working in the medical field, the nurse probably thought nothing could surprise her anymore. She was very obviously wrong.

Like the other Redditors said, if a specialist warns you about something, you better heed their advice. They've probably seen it happen too many times for it to become a part of the prep.