Comments from the peanut gallery....

TraumaNurseRN · Dec 3, 2008

NurseWannabe, just remember, you are not a nurse yet, you don't understand that half of what we deal with. When you get out into the "real" world, you will soon realize that it is not as rosy as it seems.
It is easy to judge and say that we have no compassion because we complain about some of the patients we have to deal with. That is totally normal. EVERYONE complains about some aspect of their job. So in the future, don't judge those who vent. It doesn't make us any less of a nurse.

I so agree! It's interesting how some think we actually present ourselves in a fashion less profesional when in front of our patients. Or that they have this unrealistic expectation that once they graduate from school that it's going to be fields of flowers and wonderful sunshines everyday, all day. I have never met a healthcare professional who hasn't vented about a patient or their job in general from time to time.

Trauma Columnist · Dec 3, 2008

This is a venting thread - not meant to be taken seriously. Nurses of all specialties (along with many other professions) are allowed to vent. It is just a coping mechanism for all the heartache, sadness, anger, etc., that we deal with on a daily basis.

It is not a reflection of the care we provide.

emtb2rn, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Dec 3, 2008

:yeahthat:

mmutk, BSN, RN, EMT-I · Dec 4, 2008

And while we are venting....

Something that has really gotten on my last nerve lately is these patient's who bust into triage with (insert complaint here) like it's the worst thing in their life. ABD pain so bad they can't sit still or sit down, or shortness of breath so bad they can't even talk in full sentences.

But as soon as that blood pressure cuff fires up it's all the sudden it's "OHHH MY THAT BLOOD PRESSURE CUFF IS SQUEEZING MY ARM OFF!" or "GET IT OFF MY ARM THAT CUFF IS TOO TIGHT" and then they start flailing around with their arms, so of course the auto cuff can't detect their pressure b/c they can't hold their arm still for 1 minute. :bluecry1:

Miss, if that bp cuff squeezes your arm off it'll be the first ever and we will both be on the TODAY show tomorrow. :banghead:

UnitSec · Dec 5, 2008

I was checking in a patient with a minor laceration the other day, and she was whining about how she really hated needles and didn't want to get the numbing shot. I told her that the doc would probably be happy to put the stitches in without it if she preferred. The look on her face was priceless.

I normally wouldn't have said anything, but she really was getting on my nerves.

northshore08 · Dec 5, 2008

A friend's daughter was living in Korea and had to have a root canal. In other countries, pain management is...let's just say it's not on the radar screen. I was very interested (and sympathetic!!) to hear that this poor lady went through all her dental work with no anesthesia. :eek: She said the root canal pain was bad, but no treatment was worse.

I have a whole new respect for Koreans. And now if they tell me it doesn't hurt, I don't believe them. I'm sure lots of other cultures are stoic like that. I have occasionally seen American pts in the ED do sutures without anesthesia, and a nurse friend of mine had a lap tubal with only ibuprofen and local (she was mom with two small boys and did not want any risk of them losing their mom.)

Better living through chemistry, I say! :yeah:

TraumaNurseRN · Dec 7, 2008

And while we are venting....
Something that has really gotten on my last nerve lately is these patient's who bust into triage with (insert complaint here) like it's the worst thing in their life. ABD pain so bad they can't sit still or sit down, or shortness of breath so bad they can't even talk in full sentences.
But as soon as that blood pressure cuff fires up it's all the sudden it's "OHHH MY THAT BLOOD PRESSURE CUFF IS SQUEEZING MY ARM OFF!" or "GET IT OFF MY ARM THAT CUFF IS TOO TIGHT" and then they start flailing around with their arms, so of course the auto cuff can't detect their pressure b/c they can't hold their arm still for 1 minute.
Miss, if that bp cuff squeezes your arm off it'll be the first ever and we will both be on the TODAY show tomorrow.

Although I TOO have the whining patient about the blood pressure cuff....I would never take incident with someone who is so SOB they can't speak in a full sentence. I have to say this and it might not be what you want to hear.....but what flippin Univ. did you go to that didn't offer some knowldge that someone with dyspnea so bad that they cannot speak in full sentences was in the same category as ...waaaaa that blood pressure cuff is too tight. And to continue on the....let's get so and so nurse out of triage cause they.....reallly need to learn the minimal about abdominal pain or SOB....CP...shall I go on?....were you having a terrible day...if so....I'll back off here....but Abdominal pain, dyspnea....are not bogus.....and in no comparison to the BP cuff squeezing them to tight.( Not being able to sit still with abdominal pain or so dyspnic that they can't speak in full sentences is of concern, and ANY triage nurse would and should take it seriously.....That's our job.....in triage. Sorry to point the obvious out....but Triage is a skill..........and frustration with patients who present this way is our priority. I understand some frustration....perhaps though...a manual BP would be better for you. (Those electronics when they are in pain, out of their element, not wanting to be in the ER in the first place..."Just treat me know" kind of thoughts...warrants a manual BP.....Any opportunity for you to do that? Plus: Have you ever followed up with the disposition of those patients....you might be surprised how many are actually admitted to the hospital....my 2cents once again. Denise

TraumaNurseRN · Dec 7, 2008

This is a venting thread - not meant to be taken seriously. Nurses of all specialties (along with many other professions) are allowed to vent. It is just a coping mechanism for all the heartache, sadness, anger, etc., that we deal with on a daily basis.
It is not a reflection of the care we provide.

Oh I agree we all need to vent.....Some venting though shows a lack of skill and knowledge and should best be kept to themselves.....After all, we are a skilled profession....with a specialty......Vent all we need to....but preface it with knowledge...or at least read what you vent about before you send. I am not talking about you or anyone in particular.....sometimes we've all vented just to vent and haven't really considered what we put out there for people to read about us. :twocents:

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · Dec 7, 2008

Although I TOO have the whining patient about the blood pressure cuff....I would never take incident with someone who is so SOB they can't speak in a full sentence. I have to say this and it might not be what you want to hear.....but what flippin Univ. did you go to that didn't offer some knowldge that someone with dyspnea so bad that they cannot speak in full sentences was in the same category as ...waaaaa that blood pressure cuff is too tight. And to continue on the....let's get so and so nurse out of triage cause they.....reallly need to learn the minimal about abdominal pain or SOB....CP...shall I go on?....were you having a terrible day...if so....I'll back off here....but Abdominal pain, dyspnea....are not bogus.....and in no comparison to the BP cuff squeezing them to tight.( Not being able to sit still with abdominal pain or so dyspnic that they can't speak in full sentences is of concern, and ANY triage nurse would and should take it seriously.....That's our job.....in triage. Sorry to point the obvious out....but Triage is a skill..........and frustration with patients who present this way is our priority. I understand some frustration....perhaps though...a manual BP would be better for you. (Those electronics when they are in pain, out of their element, not wanting to be in the ER in the first place..."Just treat me know" kind of thoughts...warrants a manual BP.....Any opportunity for you to do that? Plus: Have you ever followed up with the disposition of those patients....you might be surprised how many are actually admitted to the hospital....my 2cents once again. Denise

I thought that was the point of the post... that if they truly are so sick they can't speak in full sentences they wouldn't be able or inclined to scream when the BP cuff pumps up. I too have had patients that claimed to be in their final death throes, but when that BP cuff pumped up their lung capacity and strength came back to them. Especially love those that are in 20/10 pain and smiling, but that cuff just throws them off the deep end.

flightnurse2b, LPN · Dec 7, 2008

Gotta love the comments from the families...
pt is 80something female brought in by family (all live together) for diff breathing/sob. pt is satting 100% on ra (put her on lowflow o2 nc anyway), other vs also normal, talking in complete sentences, lungs clear, no labor in breathing but has a cardiac & asthma hx. So, line & labs are called for and I hear....
son: "she's a hard stick boy, you better get it the first time."
mmm, that helped. It was pretty much like that for the rest of their stay, snide comments and complaints about the temperature of the room, availability of food, etc. And oh yeah, they're here about every other week. NOTE: while she actually is a hard stick, the pt herself is pleasant.

my response to that is "well, you know it's slightly difficult to perform well when you have a running commentary."

that usually shuts them up.

~MIA~, ASN, RN · Dec 7, 2008

I know what you mean. You just can NOT have a good old-fashioned vent thread anymore. I wish that sometimes there was a trigger like we wish we had for those incessant callbell-ringers that would hit them like a shock collar, only it should be wired into the keyboard. If someone comes on our vent threads with a snide remark or profound statement, the minute they hit enter...WHAM!!!!!
I can think of more than a few people on more than a few threads I'd pay money to see that work on.
Thank you, you may all jump on the "OMG, you're so MEAN" bandwagon at once.

:yeah: :yeahthat:

You took the words right out of my mouth, keyboard,...whatever. LOL

Altra, BSN, RN · Dec 7, 2008

Although I TOO have the whining patient about the blood pressure cuff....I would never take incident with someone who is so SOB they can't speak in a full sentence. I have to say this and it might not be what you want to hear.....but what flippin Univ. did you go to that didn't offer some knowldge that someone with dyspnea so bad that they cannot speak in full sentences was in the same category as ...waaaaa that blood pressure cuff is too tight. And to continue on the....let's get so and so nurse out of triage cause they.....reallly need to learn the minimal about abdominal pain or SOB....CP...shall I go on?....were you having a terrible day...if so....I'll back off here....but Abdominal pain, dyspnea....are not bogus.....and in no comparison to the BP cuff squeezing them to tight.( Not being able to sit still with abdominal pain or so dyspnic that they can't speak in full sentences is of concern, and ANY triage nurse would and should take it seriously.....That's our job.....in triage. Sorry to point the obvious out....but Triage is a skill..........and frustration with patients who present this way is our priority. I understand some frustration....perhaps though...a manual BP would be better for you. (Those electronics when they are in pain, out of their element, not wanting to be in the ER in the first place..."Just treat me know" kind of thoughts...warrants a manual BP.....Any opportunity for you to do that? Plus: Have you ever followed up with the disposition of those patients....you might be surprised how many are actually admitted to the hospital....my 2cents once again. Denise

I hate to speak for another poster, but I feel strongly you missed the sarcasm present in the post you've referenced here.

The poster's point was about patients who complain dramatically and at length about their symptoms (including those who "can't breathe" ) but then suddenly have a brand new crisis of epic proportions because the BP cuff is uncomfortable.

I do not believe I have ever experienced 10/10 pain. (and yes, I've given birth) But I am sure that if I ever do experience 10/10 pain, an automatic BP cuff will be the least of my concerns.