out of control.

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Tonight was busy as usual (stabbing, gsw, MBA, etc), I work at a level ll trauma center. First night I was called a **** and a ***** in one sentence from a drunk that got jumped at a club. I had to leave the room to make sure I keep my job. How do you guys handle belligerent pts who are out of control? Thanks in advance.

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Why get upset? He's a drunk! It's not like your husband calling you that or anything. He's not important. Day 1 I was called a *******and se other creative slurs, it made me laugh!

Posting from my phone, ease forgive my fat thumbs! :)

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All nurses get cursed out. It's the norm, especially in a huge inner city ER. I usually laugh or set boundaries. (my boundary setting is a look and my voice tone changes slightly). You can call me whatever you want but if you put your hands on me (self defense will take over) security is going to have to pull me off of you. Patients can sense who to mess with and also how far you are willing to allow disrespect.

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Specializes in Pain, critical care, administration, med.

Just ignore their behavior. Saying anything agitates them. Wait till you get the old granny that calls you the "f" word. People whose minds are messed up from disease, drugs or alcohol have no control, doesn't make it right but its human behavior.

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Lol I'm am avid fan of killing them with kindness, while I'm laughing in their face bc they are being sedated by me, it usually makes me feel so empowered! Oh you want to call me a ***** and tell me I should die? Here, have some geodon and versed... Sweet dreams!

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

While it helps with the story.....we can't use profanity even if it is disguised with letters and symbols....please use all symbols...;).

I have been called everything but blonde and white (which is my hair color and race). There is something about the impaired mind that goes straight to profanity. Every 18 year old head injury, or intoxicated with substances, will shout repetitively at the top of their lungs their favourite four letter word that begins with the letter.....F. Somehow they never get hoorifice.....on of natures wonders.

I have confronted gang members and I can indulge in some colorful language myself on occasion.....but never let the patients get under your skin.

Even if they are sober and just being spiteful and mean.....I will NEVER give them the satisfaction of knowing the bugged me.

I really can't be bothered with someone that has such a limited vocabulary that profanity is the only way the can express themselves indicates to me that they have the IQ of the amount of teeth in their mouth divided by 2.

Clearly not worth my time......

This particular patient that used that language to you is clearly why they got jumped at the club.

Consider the source...and when you start their IV...you just never know if they need a large bore.....just saying....;)

((HUGS))

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Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.

This:

Patients can sense who to mess with and also how far you are willing to allow disrespect.

And this:

Wait till you get the old granny that calls you the "f" word. People whose minds are messed up from disease, drugs or alcohol have no control, doesn't make it right but its human behavior.

This too:

never let the patients get under your skin.

And last but not least ... this, too:

Consider the source...and when you start their IV...you just never know if they need a large bore.....just saying....;)

((HUGS))

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Specializes in Emergency.

I use "i'm sorry, did you say something?" when somebody starts talking smack.

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Specializes in ER, Addictions, Geriatrics.
I use "i'm sorry did you say something?" when somebody starts talking smack.[/quote']

Lol I love that one. They don't often repeat themselves!

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Oh no, u didn't just diss me,! *takes off earrings* [coworker], hold me back, hold me back!

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geodan......

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Inside the room, I don't show any emotions while they are going at it which ****** them off more. It usually doesn't get to me, but that night was crazy ridiculous.

I once had a pt, totally drunk, act about as "special." The family recorded the pt cussing me out, called me name after name. Anyways, the pt came back a couple days later for pain med, recognized me and apologized all shift for the behavior that was displayed.

However, no meds because he was around mid 270s etoh, didn't want to literally make him stop talking.... But thanks for the input guys. Ever since I moved to the ED, every shift has been full of surprises.

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