Published
I'm currently working a temp job as a occupational nurse and I had a patient collapse in my office. I called 9-1-1 and I kept his as comfortable as I could while we waited. BP was dropping, pain was excruciating, but there was a language barrier as this gentleman was visiting from an Asian country and couldn't speak any of the languages I speak, nor I his.
When the paramedics arrived, I said, somewhat jokingly but not entirely, that his pain sure looks like a 10/10 although I can't confirm it - the medic said: if he was 10/10 he'd be beyond cooperative. I asked, 9.5 on 10?
Next time I do a pain assessment, I'm gonna ask "Is it like you're actively being mauled by a bear?" with a sidelong, eyebrows raised expression on my face. Prolly draw a complaint...
I use that a lot and they usually like the description. When they don't understand the scale I say "0 is no pain at all and 10 is like you are actively being mauled by a bear". Never had a complaint.
SlightlyMental_RN
471 Posts
I laughed when I read this:
Hyperbole and a Half: pain faces
FYI, a small amount of swearing involved.