Tonight I got a 20 y.o. pt from the ED who came in saying he tried to harm himself by benzo OD. A&O drug screens neg. I went to his room to check vitals and get his admission history done. He was talking to his friend and did not stop to respond or even acknowledge that I had entered. he complained that he wanted to be released ASAP in the AM and that he didn't even have his cell phone charger with him. When I asked for his emergency contacts he sighed and rolled his eyes at me then went back to talking to friend.
Then mom came in from the hall. Pt then started playing with his cell phone and would not make eye contact. Just incredibly rude and snotty. I asked him to please put his phone down, show some respect and make eye contact so we could get this done He rolled his eyes & sighed ugh fine is that better. At that I told him it looks as though he has a lot of growing up to do and said that this is unacceptable behavior how he is acting towards me. I reminded him that he is here because of a choice he made and not to get smart with me as I'm trying to help and it's not my fault that he's here. His mom then told me that I shouldn't be talking to him that way that he just tried to kill himself (which he really didn't) and I should be more understanding. I said that's what I'm trying to do my job and no matter he still should not be so rude. It's not ok for him to be talking to me like this.
Then pt started screaming at me sayin you ***** you don't know and punching himself in the head. I stood back and watched and said this is pathetic how you are acting this is terrible behavior. Other staff heard him screaming & security was called. I then left the room and family requested another nurse and acted as though I was in the wrong. What do you all think? I just felt that his behavior was awful and inexcusable- needed to be brought to his attention that this is not the way to behave.
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
To be fair, the family dynamics in which we were immersed during our upbringings can have an affect on our views of appropriate behavior.
I grew up as the only child of authoritarian parents who expected swift obedience, unquestioning compliance, and conformity out of me. I would have been hit if I had been displaying the behaviors of the patient in the original post.
As a result, I became a compliant adult who adhered to peoples' requests. However, I realize that other people were exposed to more lenient family dynamics, and this context is helping to shape their actions in the here and now.
In essence, we cannot change anyone's worldviews or attitudes regarding appropriate behavior because these were instilled during the formative years. In addition, the professional must remain level-headed at all times...
Sorry but that felt like taking a mental health exam and only seeing answers on what not to do. It seems like in the heat of the moment your emotions got the best of you, but I really think you should crack open a mental health textbook so this doesn't happen again.
In the real world with common sense you did the right thing but in the overly sensitive PC world you are going to lose every time. In todays society you are not allowed to state the truth. You are only allowed to enable people like this. Remember as a nurse you have to tolerate being disrespected and abused to the highest degree but dont you dare hurt a patients feelings.
In the real world with common sense you did the right thing but in the overly sensitive PC world you are going to lose every time. In todays society you are not allowed to state the truth. You are only allowed to enable people like this. Remember as a nurse you have to tolerate being disrespected and abused to the highest degree but dont you dare hurt a patients feelings.
This has nothing to do with being PC and everything to do with a patient who had attempted suicide.
But he didn't try to commit suicide, he just said he did. He wanted the attention and he obviously has issues. Just because you are a patient does not give you the right to act like an animal and treat people who are trying to help you with disrespect.
Specializes in Cath/EP lab, CCU, Cardiac stepdown.
VerticalHorizon said:
But he didn't try to commit suicide, he just said he did. He wanted the attention and he obviously has issues. Just because you are a patient does not give you the right to act like an animal and treat people who are trying to help you with disrespect.
While I agree that we as nurses shouldn't have to take crap from patients but we are the professionals. We don't have to stand there and take it but we can inform them that their behavior is inappropriate, that we are trying to help them, and that when they are more cooperative we will be back. We are not in the streets. We do not go and tell this patient that their behavior is pathetic or that they disgust us. It is not our job to teach he patients manners. We can inform them that it's inappropriate but clearly a line was crossed here. In what way was communication therapeutic in the opening post? Heck it was untherapeutic.
In the real world with common sense you did the right thing but in the overly sensitive PC world you are going to lose every time. In todays society you are not allowed to state the truth. You are only allowed to enable people like this.
With all due respect, that is in my opinion utter nonsense. What OP did was exactly what I would do if I deliberately wanted to provoke the other person.
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But he didn't try to commit suicide, he just said he did. He wanted the attention and he obviously has issues.
Be that as it may, but punching your own head is not what I'd consider behavior that a person with their emotions under control would exercise. It's a clear sign of lost control/aggression/frustration and the smart healthcare provider or police officer for that matter, knows not to further antagonize a person in this situation.
Also, just because the patient didn't actually commit suicide or make a serious attempt, doesn't mean that he isn't in need of medical/psychiatric assessment or treatment.
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Just because you are a patient does not give you the right to act like an animal
The patient hardly acted "like an animal". It would seem that you've lead a sheltered life if you think so.
Not saying the things that OP said to her patient isn't about being "PC", it's about being a professional healthcare provider and about being aware about your own safety.
Whoa. While I agree the patient sounds like a completely rude mess, it is not your place to tell him to grow up or that he is being pathetic. Yes, in my mind I would have been asking "Who raised this mess?!" But, I would've just told him I will be back when he is ready to answer my questions and let me help him, and left. You put yourself in a potentially dangerous situation, even leading up to him hitting himself in the head! What if that had been you underneath his fists instead of his head?
OP, I want to make sure you understand the nursing role. You are not in a position of authority over your patients. It is not up to you to discipline or correct them. That is actually an abuse of the nursing role. You assess, educate, and implement nursing interventions.
There is no care plan in the world that includes "berate patient until behavior improves."
But he didn't try to commit suicide, he just said he did. He wanted the attention and he obviously has issues. Just because you are a patient does not give you the right to act like an animal and treat people who are trying to help you with disrespect.
But he said he did so whether he did or not, he needs help and doesn't need to be told he is childish and needs to grow up. He ended up hitting himself and having to had security called. Clearly he needs help. Like a PP said, OP is lucky the patient didn't take his anger and aggression out on them.
But he didn't try to commit suicide, he just said he did. He wanted the attention and he obviously has issues. Just because you are a patient does not give you the right to act like an animal and treat people who are trying to help you with disrespect.
Are you a nurse? Just curious...and what specialty?
TheCommuter, BSN, RN
102 Articles; 27,612 Posts
To be fair, the family dynamics in which we were immersed during our upbringings can have an affect on our views of appropriate behavior.
I grew up as the only child of authoritarian parents who expected swift obedience, unquestioning compliance, and conformity out of me. I would have been hit if I had been displaying the behaviors of the patient in the original post.
As a result, I became a compliant adult who adhered to peoples' requests. However, I realize that other people were exposed to more lenient family dynamics, and this context is helping to shape their actions in the here and now.
In essence, we cannot change anyone's worldviews or attitudes regarding appropriate behavior because these were instilled during the formative years. In addition, the professional must remain level-headed at all times...