The metaphor of a cobbler really is quite vivid.
Three people arrived at the ward, where patient in bed 73 was lying on the bed, looking pale and weak.
The patient’s overall condition was very poor.
"Did you just have diarrhea?"
Zhou Can’s diagnostic skills from observation were incomparable to Yu Xin and Duan Zifu.
His extensive hands-on experience gained from being on the front lines far surpassed that of the average residency trainee.
The patient’s complexion, state, expression, gaze, and so on, all served as the basis for his diagnosis.
"How did you know? Is it because you smelled something foul?" The family member by the side asked with some embarrassment.
"We didn’t smell anything; we could tell by observing his complexion and mental state," Zhou Can explained to the family.
Some patients and their families are very sensitive.
They fear affecting other patients.
Especially for some patients who are unable to take care of themselves, sometimes they can only pull the bed curtains around and take care of their needs right in the ward.
"So observing the complexion can reveal all that! Your doctors at Tu Ya are really amazing!"
The family member felt less embarrassed after hearing this.
Zhou Can saw the patient shivering occasionally under the blanket that was tightly covering him.
"Are you feeling cold?"
Zhou Can felt the patient’s forehead with the back of his hand.
The temperature was indeed a bit high, but not high enough to be considered a fever.
Instead, it was the patient’s trembling that alerted him.
Fever accompanied by shivering, along with nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea - all these symptoms together were a disaster for a patient who had just undergone surgery.
"I feel cold, and my stomach is very uncomfortable. It’s hard to describe, like a severe cold, but also a bit different. Doctor... am I going to die?"
The patient’s mental state seemed very anxious.
He was unabashedly asking the doctor if he was going to die?
This indicated the patient was experiencing significant discomfort.
"Don’t worry, these are just minor symptoms. We’ve performed countless biliary stone extractions here in the hospital, and the technique is very mature. Normally, you’d be discharged in just a few days."
Zhou Can didn’t dare to be too definitive about the timeline.
The length of a patient’s hospital stay varies.
Even with the same condition and treatment, some people are discharged in two or three days, while others may need more than a week.
It has a close relationship with the patient’s constitution, whether there is postoperative infection, and whether any postoperative complications arise.
Zhou Can noticed the patient’s hand resting on the upper left abdomen.
This position is slightly below the pericardium, likely the stomach area.
Considering the symptoms of nausea and diarrhea, Zhou Can silently speculated that it seemed like a digestive system issue.
"Does your stomach hurt?"
He asked the patient.
"It just feels bloated, and especially uncomfortable when I feel like vomiting."
As he was speaking, the patient suddenly grimaced in pain.
"A basin, quick, get a basin."
Zhou Can urgently said to the family.
The family, not understanding, became more concerned about the patient’s suffering.
Zhou Can’s eyes caught sight of a red basin under the bed, and he immediately bent down to take it out, then held it up.
The patient awkwardly turned to his side and leaned his head out of the bed.
A stream of liquid vomit was expelled from the patient’s mouth.
Now the family member reacted, quickly taking the basin from Zhou Can’s hands.
They also secretly admired Zhou Can’s medical expertise.
Not only had he accurately deduced from observing the patient’s complexion and mental state that the patient had diarrhea not long ago, but he also was the first to notice the patient’s urge to vomit.
The time between was very short, the patient didn’t even have time to speak before vomiting.
Not just the family of bed 73, but also family members from the other three beds looked at Zhou Can with newfound respect.
Among the three trainees, Zhou Can was exceptionally outstanding.
The level of medical skill varies, and it is the one thing that cannot be faked.
Whether one truly has the skills becomes apparent when faced with a patient’s condition.
Zhou Can gently patted the patient’s back, helping him release the air.
After the patient finished vomiting, he picked up water for the patient to rinse his mouth.
These were all small actions, but it’s these details that deeply warmed the patient’s heart. The family was very grateful to him.
Most doctors appear aloof, treating patients and their families with a sense of superiority.
It is actually quite rare to have doctors who truly treat patients like family.
Those who speak prettily are the most common.
"When did the patient have the surgery completed yesterday?"
Zhou Can turned to ask Doctor Yu Xin.
"It was around 10:30 yesterday morning." Her immediate response indicated she was diligent in her work.
Zhou Can thought for a moment, and his eyes brightened a bit.
After vomiting, the patient’s condition actually seemed to improve. Vomiting made the patient feel much better.
"When did the patient eat after returning to the ward from surgery?"
Generally, patients are asked to fast for over twelve hours before surgery.
The patient vomited a substantial amount and had also experienced diarrhea, suggesting that they definitely had eaten after the surgery.
"It was around four in the afternoon! Seeing that my husband’s surgery went very smoothly and he was in good condition afterwards, I hurried to a restaurant outside and specifically asked the chef to make chicken soup for him to drink. It can nourish the body and speed up recovery."
The family member recalled the situation and shared it, revealing a hint of smugness when expressing her notion of proper nourishment.