Lesson Learned

Nursing Students CNA/MA

Published

Specializes in ICU, ER, Hemodialysis.

i was working for a nursing home one day, when a male resident was complaining about a snake in his room. it broke the stress of the day as everyone laughed, not in front of him, but at the nursing station. we heard residents say they see ghost, flying spiders, things like that, so it was nothing new, but sometimes the "way" people say things can give you a chuckle. anyway, as i'm sure you figured out....there WAS a snake in his room. small, yes, but still a snake! after that day, i will never take what a patient says as "oh he's just delusional."

that was one of my lessons learned......do you have one to add?

Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

In one home that I worked we had a resident complain about a mouse roaming around in her room all the time. Everyone thought she was just confused, until several of us saw this mouse cross the hallway to go to other rooms! The little stinker was crafty and very difficult to catch. We called him "George" and saw him often. At least, we all hoped it was just George and not a bunch of his relatives. It wasn't long before the exterminators "took care" of George, but it reminded us to (1) believe patients and (2) keep food contained in patient rooms.

We had a lady who was always complaining of the wierdest things- like she would wet the bed and then claim that a small child snuck in her room and peed in her bed, that sort of thing.

Well, one night she came out copmlaining of a mouse in her bed, we dismissed it at first until she held out the pillowcase... in which she had caught it!

Well, one night she came out copmlaining of a mouse in her bed, we dismissed it at first until she held out the pillowcase... in which she had caught it!

Good for her!! I mean, it's better that she caught it rather than have another "George" running around, huh? :)

It reminds me of an old episode of "Emergengy!" (I know, they're all old :)), when Roy (or John) brought a snake in to the ED in a pillowcase. Dixie, the "head nurse" didn't believe him and looked in the pillowcase and gasps!

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