Share your "problem patient" stories!

I know I've had pt's I couldn't wait to get rid of. Some are just plain boors. This is the thread to share your stories about THOSE pt's.

Wish I could find a magic book that tells me what makes an able-bodied pt suddenly incapable of basic self-care once they enter the hospital.

Recently I had a pt who could feed himself, brush his teeth, wipe his ass, etc(this was an older male who just had his toes reattached after cutting them off while edging his lawn barefoot) suddenly lay on his call bell every ten minutes wanting me to fix his hair, feed him jello or give him a drink of water. These were all things he could do just fine by himself. He was also really nasty to me if I didn't come the second he rang his bell. Sorry pal, I had a critically ill patient next door and getting her on the bedpan before she soiled her bed is more important than combing your hair. Anyway, he'd complain about the food, whine that he was cold(and then complain he was hot when I gave him a blanket), whine that nothing good was ever on TV and then he'd yank his hands away when I checked his vitals.

This man was NOT suffering any dementia btw, he was perfectly a/o the whole time.

But wait! It gets better! If his family was around, he'd be all sweet and polite to me only to turn right back into Captain Jerkwad the second they left. I've never been so glad to discharge somebody. From what I've heard....he isn't taking the antibiotics we sent home with him. He'll probably be back in the ER with a raging infection pretty soon.


So, how about the rest of you? Ever have a pt who made you practically tear your hair out?