What Baffles You?

ArtClassRN, ADN, RN · Dec 20, 2013

I have a beautiful full sleeve. But I don't pay for tattoos. I am friends with an amazing artist. You never know what the case may be.

I'm guessing you are female?

ArtClassRN, ADN, RN · Dec 20, 2013

So on that scale, How can you have pain worst than 10/10?

Because you want more pain medications.

Not_A_Hat_Person, RN · Dec 21, 2013

My home care clients use distilled or tap water for suctioning. Since it's their home, it's assumed that they have already been exposed to whatever bacteria is present. They generally don't have problems with pneumonia or URIs.

Brekka, ADN, RN · Dec 22, 2013

Here's a few of my favorites! What baffles me is....

....how some doctors will refuse the requests or suggestions of some nurses, but will write the orders for the exact same thing when asked by a different nurse.
...when you have the competent and able rehab patient who cries about not being able to go home, but refuses to participate with therapy, follow the doctors orders, or make even the slightest effort.
...how some management makes a big deal out of small issues (out of paper cups), but pretend that the missing narcotics just never existed in the first place.

Mandychelle79, ASN, RN · Dec 22, 2013

When the pharmacy doesnt stock the patients medications and the only place you can get them is from the pharmacy ( not in any of the hospital's accudose machines)

PnutButterJelly · Dec 23, 2013

I'm guessing you are female?

Yes, even though I don't see how this question is relevant.

monkeybug · Dec 26, 2013

I'm also baffled by the number of women who show up in ER and L&D convinced they are pregnant when they aren't. It also scares the living daylights out of me, because it doesn't take much of an imaginative leap to worry about them attempting to kidnap a baby. I've cared for numerous women who come in saying they are pregnant and bleeding, only to discover they aren't pregnant and are just menstruating. And then usually comes the absolute best: "But what do I do about this bleeding?!?!" Um, how about a tampon? One memorable chick even peed on the nurse's hand and wrist while the nurse was checking her cervix, and she yelled, "Oh no! My water just broke!" Sometimes it's mental illness, sometimes it's to keep a man (which to me is also a mental illness), but it's always disturbing. And it's a million times worse if the doc on call is a resident, because then they still usually want to do a wet prep or other testing, and then they want to argue when you tell them they are welcome to do whatever they want, including brain biopsy, as long as it occurs somewhere other than L&D! No occupant in the uterus, not my problem and not my patient!

ayla2004, ASN, RN · Dec 26, 2013

patients without a bone flap, who you have explained the need for a a helmet, ask if they will need it outside their home cause they dont want to be seen in it. patient has surgery on christmas eve, helmet ordered from orthotis but would not be supplied on 25-26 as bank holidays.

brain then explained to be jelly and it doesn't' take much to make it fall apart if they fall.

c

this was followed by the doctor on ward round saying the patient could mobilise with patient didn't hear was w"with helmet"

patient up and walking around ward, should be on bedrest

CrazierThanYou · Dec 27, 2013

Boy, I can relate to just about all of these.

I'd love to comment on all of them but there would be a whole string of just me!

I hate when people come and hunt me down instead of using the call bell. It's always for something like a blanket or ice and I've been known to say "The best thing to do is to use the call bell."

I'm often baffled by vomiters who must call out for a nurse every time they gag. I always want to say "When you're at home, do you call 911 every time you throw up?" If I've given all the meds I can give, there is nothing else I can do. Offering an NG tube usually shuts them up!

Like others, I'm exasperated by the patients who complain about their care interfering with their sleep, their movement, their telephone calls, whatever. And then there are the patients who refuse medications, vitals, whatever. GO HOME! I imagine that if we didn't live in this ridiculously litigious society, they'd be out on their bums.

The 500 lb woman who asks me and only me to pull her up in the bed. Yeah buddy.

I'm baffled by the type 1 diabetic who comes in AT LEAST once a month in DKA and then curses and whines about having his CBGs checked, assessments, everything really.

The same goes for the repeat alcoholic patients who suddenly decide they want to get clean then whine about seizure precautions.

Whew! I can go on and on!

ausrnurse · Dec 27, 2013

I had a patient just last week make a complaint about me for waking them to take vital signs :sarcastic: Welcome to hospital!

Fiona59 · Dec 27, 2013

I had a patient just last week make a complaint about me for waking them to take vital signs Welcome to hospital!

Happens every time I work nights!

One memorable Prince demanded to be kept overnight for a procedure that everyone else went home from. He was warned that he'd be checked on during the night. Heard he pitched an all mighty fit at midnight and 0400. "I'm sick and need my rest".

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Dec 27, 2013

As a former Pedi nurse I thought I had seen and heard it all. One Grandma comnplained about me taking temp too often on child with febrile seizures. Wanted me to give Tylenol IV and not wake him (before it was available). Complained that the hub of the IV cath was yellowed which meant it was old and probably recycled. Had to show her cathlons came in different colors representing different sizes. Did not like the food or the fact that we did not have three beds in the room (patient, Mom, Grandmom). But what got me recently was someone who came thru our FREE flu shot clinic and complained that the injection hurt a little. Well, aren't you glad you did not have to pay for the pain we inflicted???