ICU had Bowel Movements

Yesterday, I received a patient transfer from ICU after a carotid endarterectomy. She was stable, elderly, though was best described as “needy” at times. Some folks are just that way. I think it’s a type of abuse.

Anyway, the Nurse whom had cared for her gave me report on the patient’s condition (in person), and when she got to the bowel/GI part, she mentioned that the patient had been given several doses of metoclopramide (Reglan®) to stimulate the bowel. Then, she yammered on and on, and on and on, in a seemingly endless, mindless blathering twitter about the color, consistency, smell, texture, frequency and volume of the patient’s stool.

Once I could understand, particularly with a GI procedure. However, as she spoke, she seemed to be searching for adjectives and analogies to embellish her unnecessarily descriptive and verbose dialogue, and appeared to be enjoying that aspect of her report in a strangely curious way.

She did that not just once, but at least three times!

Frankly, I thought it was a bunch of shit.