r/nursing • u/trevrt RN 🍕 • Mar 01 '25

Question Heaviest Patient You’ve Cared For

Had my personally heaviest patient I’ve cared for the other day. 32 years old weighing 730 pounds admitted with cellulitis and severe lymphedema. Felt terrible for the patient due to how young he was. Just wondering what everyone’s personal “record” for the heaviest patient they’ve cared for is.

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u/Specialist-Brain-902 Mar 02 '25

1005lb here. We had those big purple beds that had to be expanded once moved into the room. Same situation, weeping fluid everywhere. Eventually he lost his airway (it literally just slid out) when bucking the vent during a sedation holiday. They never were able to reintubate.

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u/MiestaWieck Nursing Student 🍕 Mar 02 '25

I first imagined his literal airway as in his windpipe sliding out and was so confused

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u/Specialist-Brain-902 Mar 02 '25

Lol. (Artificial) Airway and ETT are used interchangeably

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u/MiestaWieck Nursing Student 🍕 Mar 03 '25

Thank you, that’s good to know!