Can’t believe I had to explain that. . .

Published

Ever have a conversation or answer a question, and afterward asked yourself if you really just had to say that?  I had a coworker call me and ask why all of her messages in Epic are documented with the initials M.E., whereas everyone else’s has their names. I had to have her repeat her question again to make sure I was understanding her, but she was wondering who M.E is and why their name, and not hers, shows up as to who created a telephone call. I had to tell her it’s not initials, it’s the word ‘Me’, as in YOU since you started it. We all see ‘me’ when looking at our own encounters. LOL. And yes, she’s been working with us for several months. 

I had to explain to a pt that they are not getting a shot because she saw the phrase “topical anesthetic” on a consent form for a nasal endoscope. She still kept telling me she didn’t want a shot. 

Anybody else have a “did I really have to explain that” moment?  Just looking for a good chuckle.  

3
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospice, corrections, psychiatry, rehab, LTC.

Years ago, when I was working as a mental health aide, another aide (veteran employee, no less), picked up a styrofoam cup off the counter and asked "Is this a blood pressure cup?"

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in nursing ethics.

I know a 78 year old man who said he has COPD. When I asked him what that stood for, he didn't know. I said you have this disease and you don't know what it is? 

Same man, says "patients" and "patience" are words that sound the same but differ in meaning. He just realized this! He went to tell  the cardiac rehab specialist , like she doesn't know.

I knew an adult that did not know that the earth revolves around the sun and that humans and dinosaurs lived at different time periods. Then there was a woman who thought that LOL means lots of love when she wrote it on a get well card.

 

3
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in retired LTC.
5 hours ago, Mywords1 said:

.....Then there was a woman who thought that LOL means lots of love when she wrote it on a get well card.

 

 

"What the world needs now is LOVE, sweet LOVE."

I like LOVE!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
On 9/17/2021 at 3:53 PM, amoLucia said:

"What the world needs now is LOVE, sweet LOVE."

I like LOVE!

My mom thought that’s what it stood for….although she still does not have a cell phone or know how to use the internet so…..personal choice to live in the dark ages….

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I had to explain where babies came from and why a couple didn’t have one yet….try doing that in a kind, caring, and sympathetic way. Yes, we can help you, but have you tried yet?

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
11 hours ago, NurseSpeedy said:

I had to explain where babies came from and why a couple didn’t have one yet…

As a very little kid, I believed I knew what it took for a woman to get pregnant.

I remember watching The Danny Kaye Show on TV, there was a skit about two shy young actors who had to do a kissing scene, and were vey hesitant. Their lips eventually met, the director yelled "Cut!", but the young actors stayed lip-locked. The crew "took five", and when gone, the actors ended the kiss and talked about this being the first time either had kissed another.

The actors were embraced in a second kiss when the crew returned, believing the two had been lip-locked the entire time.

"No way were they kissing the whole time you were gone", I thought. "A kiss that long would have gotten her pregnant!"

 

 

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
On 9/20/2021 at 7:23 PM, NurseSpeedy said:

My mom thought that’s what it stood for….although she still does not have a cell phone or know how to use the internet so…..personal choice to live in the dark ages….

Interesting - My 19 y/o son recently told me that his goal was to get completely off the internet and social media and only engage in tratditional methods of communication.

 

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med nurse in med-surg., float, HH, and PDN.

I kind of like the TV commercial where a robot is using a desktop computer and he says, "What is an OVERPASS?"

Was difficult to explain to Nannie why my response the first time I saw this commercial was an explosive

"HA!"

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion