Reading Skills for Healthcare Workers

Carmen's Actions

Carmen usually worked in the memory care unit at Urban Hills Care Center, but today she was asked to work part of her shift in the rehabilitation unit.

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As she was helping one of the patients, Mrs. White, with grooming and toileting, she noticed that Mrs. White seemed to be having troubling urinating. When she asked her if anything was wrong, Mrs. White said she didn’t feel well. When Carmen took Mrs. White’s temperature, she noticed it was slightly above normal. Carmen suspected Mrs. White might have a bladder infection and reported her suspicions to the duty nurse, Nurse Ronald.

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The next day Mrs. White’s regular aide found Mrs. White listless and in pain with a high fever. She immediately told Nurse Ronald. Nurse Ronald examined Mrs. White and found out that Mrs. White the day before had told Carmen that she wasn’t feeling well. After taking care of Mrs. White, Nurse Ronald went in search of Carmen.

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Carmen was back in her regular unit helping one of the residents get dressed when Nurse Ronald found her. The nurse yelled at Carmen for not telling her of Mrs. White’s condition. Carmen was confused because she had told Nurse Ronald and had made a note in Mrs. White’s file as well. Carmen was also upset because Nurse Ronald was yelling at her in front of a patient. To defuse the situation, Carmen told Nurse Ronald she was sorry and would come talk to her later after Carmen finished helping the resident to get dressed.

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When Carmen went to Nurse Ronald’s office, she brought with her Mrs. White’s chart and the notes Carmen kept after every shift. The notes and chart showed that Carmen had informed Nurse Ronald about Mrs. White’s condition.

Carmen did not receive an apology, but Nurse Ronald never bothered her about the incident again. Carmen also learned how important it is to make notes about everything she sees and does when caring for residents and patients.