What is the toughest question you have ever been asked by a patient?

[Zilijn]

Hi! I am a nursing student and I think consistently about how to word answers to questions patients may have and it led me to wonder what are some questions patients have asked you and how did you word it? or how do you wish you would have worded it?

[SmilingBluEyes]

One more from OB, an expectant mom, who was leaning toward adoption, but is possibly changing her mind,

"Should I go through with it, or keep my baby?".

Usually this is resolved long before they come in, in labor. But occasionally, they would be on the fence, even when adoptive families were chosen and present at the hospital. It was a question I could not simply answer.

[SmilingBluEyes]

You know, I have come to think of it as a privilege to have patients and loved ones trust us so much with such huge, difficult questions. It reinforces in me to be very aware of the delicate trust we hold in our hands.......................

[kool-aide, RN]

What time will I see the doctor tomorrow?

[Tenebrae, BSN, RN]

Toughest question? When will I die?

Closely followed by "Am I dying?"