This has to be one of my BIGGEST pet peeves, from way back when I was a CNA. Maybe *technically* they are diapers, but COME ON....how disprespectful can you get? I call them Depends or briefs, it at least maintains SOME dignity for the patient. Especially if they are post op, say, and are having trouble controlling their bowels as function returns to normal, and they've never had to wear them before. It's rude and demeaning.
I read an LPN's narrative charting a few weeks ago, where she actually WROTE the term "diaper." Now it's in that person's chart for all eternity. Great. Aside from the fact that it isn't something that even needs to be PUT in the narrative notes (this LPN is notorious for that, though, but that's a whole other story).
However, as a rational adult if you call it that around me and mine who are adults I am going to have a problem with that. And i am a very easy going person.
And that's exactly why I would call your potato potato... as a very easy going person myself who wants to communicate with you/yours on your terms. No skin off my nose, we're all on the same page.... YOUR page, btw. Yes, that adult in bed could be ME some day (perhaps even IS for all you know) which is EXACTLY why I use the term that is tolerable/tolerant of YOU. I adapt to my patients'/families' vernacular. Sometimes it's potato, sometimes it's potata. If I don't know yet whether you're a potato or a potata, I'm gonna call it a brief/clothing protector simply because that's what I was taught in nursing school and again, it's no skin off my nose to do so. It's still a diaper and it's still a bib, however.
Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.
Cool. Truly it is one of the few terms that bugs me.
You could walk up to my bed and say "hey dog" instead of Ms. so and so and I would just laugh and like you for it, but call it a diaper I am wearing and you may end up wearing it! :D:D:D:D
And yes, "overweight" and "fat" ARE just words that we use to communicate. They truly, simply are JUST WORDS. The difference is how we PERCEIVE/INTERPRET them. One of those words has a socially offensive slant to it for most people but both words communicate that the weight of an individual is above a healthy (aesthetic?) ideal. Potato potata, tomato tomata.
And yes, "overweight" and "fat" ARE just words that we use to communicate. They truly, simply are JUST WORDS. The difference is how we PERCEIVE/INTERPRET them. One of those words has a socially offensive slant to it for most people but both words communicate that the weight of an individual is above a healthy (aesthetic?) ideal. Potato potata, tomato tomata.
In CNA class, we weren't allowed to say "diaper" or "bib". It was brief and clothing protector. Now, I work in an ALF and we have gotten into the habit of calling them "pull ups".
there used to be a huggies commercial where a toddler sings, "mommy WOW, i'm a big boy now." as he pulls up his "pull-ups".
for that association alone, i wouldn't call them pull-ups.
What is so wrong with admitting you cannot control your urine/bowels?
that's not your call to make.
if one is embarrassed or hesitant to publicize their incontinence, then every effort should be made to honor and protect that.
And yes, "overweight" and "fat" ARE just words that we use to communicate. They truly, simply are JUST WORDS. The difference is how we PERCEIVE/INTERPRET them. One of those words has a socially offensive slant to it for most people but both words communicate that the weight of an individual is above a healthy (aesthetic?) ideal. Potato potata, tomato tomata.
bolding, mine.
while i understand your perspective, that words are only meaningful if assigned a certain value by its subject, one must exercise sensitivity in its delivery.
meaning, one's message will be better received when employing discretion and tact, versus offensive/abrasive terminology.
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
QUOTE=cherrybreeze;4454155]I think it's po-tay-to, po-tah-to, and to-may-to, to-mah-to, rather than potato, potatAH. Off topic, but just sayin'.)
Yes, but it's your thread, and as a huge Fred and Ginger fan, I thank you.
Of course they are not "only words". That's why one of my co-workers got in big trouble for snapping at a patient who wanted to be turned and assisted because he felt "the urge" to "just sh** in your diaper!!"
The longer replacement words can be a little cumbersome, though like protective underpad or clothing protector. When my mom was in an LTC a few weeks ago and ready to eat her lunch, the CNA said "let me just put on this . . .(unintelligble ) I said, "oh, you mean a bib?! Sure!" daughter grabs bib and puts it on mom. But as a family member I knew my mom would rather have the bib on fast than the long phrase thing on slowly. And the CNA was so relieved!
Specializes in Acute Care Cardiac, Education, Prof Practice.
I used to avoid the "D" word like the plague, but lately I have noticed that 95% of my patients don't know what I am talking about if I don't call it a diaper.
I usually try to say brief until I just feel the point is futile with a patient.
I remember once being in an isolation room and I need a new brief. I asked one of the nurses, several feet away, for a pair of "shorts". She stared at me completely perplexed.
"I need a brief"
"A what?"
"A depends!"
"Wait what?"
"I NEED A DIAPER! Ugh..."
"Oh..ok :)"
In the end, no pun intended, but I don't think it is much to get worked up about as long as you are cognizant of your patient and how they might react.
This has to be one of my BIGGEST pet peeves, from way back when I was a CNA. Maybe *technically* they are diapers, but COME ON....how disprespectful can you get? I call them Depends or briefs, it at least maintains SOME dignity for the patient. Especially if they are post op, say, and are having trouble controlling their bowels as function returns to normal, and they've never had to wear them before. It's rude and demeaning.
I read an LPN's narrative charting a few weeks ago, where she actually WROTE the term "diaper." Now it's in that person's chart for all eternity. Great. Aside from the fact that it isn't something that even needs to be PUT in the narrative notes (this LPN is notorious for that, though, but that's a whole other story).
Just had to get that out.
thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou!! I wish I could reach through the computer and kiss you!!
I feel EXACTLY the same and have been made to feel stupid for feeling so strongly about it. I'm so glad I'm not alone!
I have come across patients or families that call them "diapers" or "pampers." If that's the term they prefer I go with it.
I don't think I'd feel right calling them pampers, even if the patient did! I think it's for the same reason that I don't like to call them diapers/nappies - these are products for babies, and adults, no matter how impaired, shouldn't be treated like babies (though I understand some people like that sort of thing, and hey, whatever turns you on...)
I don't think I'd feel right calling them pampers even if the patient did! I think it's for the same reason that I don't like to call them diapers/nappies - these are products for babies, and adults, no matter how impaired, shouldn't be treated like babies (though I understand some people like that sort of thing, and hey, whatever turns you on...)[/quote']
I don't call them "Pampers," but I wouldn't correct the resident or family if they do. I use appropriate terminology when talking to families or residents. But...if they don't understand the terminology, I will get on their level and call it whatever they understand and whatever makes them comfortable. I have seen some nurses really offend people or hurt their feelings by being overly obsessive about terminology.
Yeah down here we call diapers 'nappies' and I agree that it does sound disrespectful to refer to incontinence pads as nappies. I usually just call them a pad as well. Yes they have the same function as nappies but it's bad enough losing control of your bodily functions, I try and maintain what dignity someone has left.
noting like a 80+ pt ask you for a new nappy, makes me squim but i supply it. got told never to call it a nappy however is a care home we called pas with taper diapers maybe american colleagues could use the term nappy?
:D:D:D:D
I said, "oh, you mean a bib?! Sure!" daughter grabs bib and puts it on mom. But as a family member I knew my mom would rather have the bib on fast than the long phrase thing on slowly. 
And the CNA was so relieved!
MoopleRN
240 Posts
And that's exactly why I would call your potato potato... as a very easy going person myself who wants to communicate with you/yours on your terms. No skin off my nose, we're all on the same page.... YOUR page, btw. Yes, that adult in bed could be ME some day (perhaps even IS for all you know) which is EXACTLY why I use the term that is tolerable/tolerant of YOU. I adapt to my patients'/families' vernacular. Sometimes it's potato, sometimes it's potata. If I don't know yet whether you're a potato or a potata, I'm gonna call it a brief/clothing protector simply because that's what I was taught in nursing school and again, it's no skin off my nose to do so. It's still a diaper and it's still a bib, however.