Nicole Feutz went well above her role as Preop/PACU nurse to care for a 4-day post-partum mother. This new mother needed a procedure to help alleviate her excruciating headache which can sometimes be a complication from a spinal epidural that is used during labor. This is also known as post-dural puncture headaches and is caused when cerebrospinal fluid leaks from the spinal space where the doctor had placed the needle, causing pressure on the spine and brain. This situation can cause patients to experience nausea, vomiting, and dizziness when sitting or standing and the only relief is to lay completely flat, which of course isn’t ideal for a new parent. 

Nicole assisted the patient preoperatively by preparing her on what to expect. She then assisted the anesthesiologist with this sterile procedure of completing a blood patch which entails using a small amount of the patient's blood to seal the space of spinal fluid leakage. This reduces pressure and allows the headache to resolve, and in this case with immediate relief. 

Not only did Nicole care for and handle the procedure with kindness and professionalism, but she then went further and utilized her past training, experience, and knowledge of all things post-partum to assist this new mother further. She noticed the mother’s frustration of not being able to breastfeed her baby, and in working with mom and baby for just a short time, she had the baby nursing at the breast for the first time! Upon discharge, she also ensured this mom had a plan of care to follow up with a Lactation consultant for further needs. Her compassionate care to mom, dad, and baby makes her a top-notch Preop/PACU RN!