Believing your patient

[Pat_Pat RN]

How are you able to believe anything a patient tells you when you have proof that they have lied about some of the things they tell you?? How can you care for someone when you never know if anything they say is true or not?

This is short and not well thought out question.

Thanks,

Pat

[mykidzmom]

i think in many situations, it doesn't matter if the patient is truthful. you ask a question, you document the answer. the original poster did not express that the issue was about pain/drugs. if it is about pain, the same things applies--ask the question document the response. if the patient says they are in 9/10 pain while chit chatting, you are obligated to treat 9/10 pain. if a diabetic has a blood sugar of 450 and swears she isn't hiding food--she still gets her insulin.

now, there are possibly times when the lies you know or suspect need to be addressed or handled. that needs to happen in a planned setting & time. or, if it is simply something the person just can't deny: state in a non emotional tone, as though you were telling someone what color paint you wanted to buy and why. because i saw you ______, i am unable to give you what you are requesting). NEVER feel like you have to prove you know you are right or argue with a patient.document and....use your resources. don't dump the problem on the charge nurse or MD, but utilize their experience and ask for help. get pain management, social work, family if appropriate--careful with that--use the ancillary staff who can help. don't let them take it from you, that is not professional for you to allow that. but we nurses are not a one-man show.

it seems like it because PT wants us to help with ROM, RT wants us to help with nebs, CNA's want us to help turn, feed, etc....social work tells us we are capable of setting up home care ...transport doesn't have anyone right now, so you will have to bring the pt to x-ray yourself....no one is afraid to Just Get The Nurse To Do It are they? well--we can ask them for help too! this is not all on you. depending on them to tell the truth puts unintended value on the type of care the patient should get. you can mentally remove yourself a bit and still be very caring and involved.