Reasons patients turn on their call light

Nurses Relations

Published

I had a very enjoyable night two nights ago, because for the first time in my nursing history I had a patient who literally turned their call light on every 2-5 minutes.

Reasons the patient turned her call light on:

1. I farted.

2. I coughed.

3. Can I sit at the nurses station naked?

4. My neck twitched when I took a breath.

5. Can you scratch my left pinky finger?

6. My tongue keeps touching my teeth, what should I do?

7. I think I have to poop but I'll wait until tomorrow to do it.

8. I'm about to call 911 because I keep hearing the nurses walk by my room.

9. Am I breathing ok?

10. My legs are really pretty, what do you think?

That's to name a few!

Specializes in PCT, RN.
No, I work night shift in a post surgical unit. We get med surg patients on the weekend when no surgeries are scheduled and she was a medical patient.

I know, but I was saying in my experience this was the worst part about working in LTC lol.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.
I love number 3 on OP's list!
I would have said yes. At least she won't have access to her call button while she's there.
Up Vote Up Vote ×

The patient was experiencing high anxiety. Most likely, anxiety disorder was present before this event.

Your nursing intervention should have been to contact the physician... obtain an anti-anxiety medication. Would have been a much better night for you and the patient.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

1) "Can I have some drugs?"

2) "I was just checking to see that someone would come if I pressed this thing."

3) "While I am here, can I have a free prostate exam?"

4) "You look angry when I ring this thing. I've only done it 20 times in the last hour."

5) "I am simply letting you know that I have an escort set to arrive at 01:00 and you'll have to let her in."

6) "Free Tibet"

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in critical care.
1) "Can I have some drugs?"

2) "I was just checking to see that someone would come if I pressed this thing."

3) "While I am here, can I have a free prostate exam?"

4) "You look angry when I ring this thing. I've only done it 20 times in the last hour."

5) "I am simply letting you know that I have an escort set to arrive at 01:00 and you'll have to let her in."

6) "Free Tibet"

I think I'd be okay with number 5 if their EF was over like, 40.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

My family member pressed the call button when, one night, a couple of days after surgery and newly transferred from ICU to med-surg, they somehow got stuck in a position in bed in which they could not breathe, and could not re-position themself. Fortunately, the nurses answered the call light quickly, and rushed into the room to help (my family member was able to say to the person who answered the call light, "Help me, I can't breathe"). My family member was very shaken up by the experience. I had only just (probably within the previous 15 minutes), left my family member's bedside.

I think it is good for us all to keep in mind that mixed in with the less serious reasons for pressing the call button (for which I know there are many) there are some serious, life threatening reasons patients press the call button too, and that it behoves all of us to answer the call buttons as rapidly as possible.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
My family member pressed the call button when, one night, a couple of days after surgery and newly transferred from ICU to med-surg, they somehow got stuck in a position in bed in which they could not breathe, and could not re-position themself. Fortunately, the nurses answered the call light quickly, and rushed into the room to help (my family member was able to say to the person who answered the call light, "Help me, I can't breathe"). My family member was very shaken up by the experience. I had only just (probably within the previous 15 minutes), left my family member's bedside.

I think it is good for us all to keep in mind that mixed in with the less serious reasons for pressing the call button (for which I know there are many) there are some serious, life threatening reasons patients press the call button too, and that it behoves all of us to answer the call buttons as rapidly as possible.

Exactly. Troubleshoot the cause.. treat as needed. Describing a" list of reasons" is belittling any patient's needs. I am embarrassed for the OP and the responders that do not understand this.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Exactly. Troubleshoot the cause.. treat as needed. Describing a" list of reasons" is belittling any patient's needs. I am embarrassed for the OP and the responders that do not understand this.

I feel the same. Patients and their families trust us with their care, and answering a call light promptly is a nursing responsibility. You never know whether the patient on the other end will be calling because of an emergency, so why make fun of patients? I find threads that belittle patients/family members on public web sites, very unprofessional, even though some nurses consider such threads to be "harmless venting."

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If we didn't answer call bells promptly we would not be privy to so many creative and varied responses.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

That I won't do. Nope, sorry. If it's on the tray table, I'll scoot it a little closer, but I won't do for them what they are clearly capable of doing for themselves.

It is a pet peeve of mine when fully capable patients ring out so that I can hand them an item that is totally within reach.
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Transitional Nursing.
2ebc5ad22c0b1ba6e5004f9ae070f6aa.jpg
Up Vote Up Vote ×
"There is a cat over there and it won't stop staring at me."

Or...

"It's not that I mind the little boy riding the scooter around my room, but doesn't his mother worry where he is?"

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment