Encouraging words for patients

[hollyberry678]

I was wondering how others responded to patients when they have/and are "going through the mill".

A patient, who has been through major lung surgery, with months of complications and almost constant pain (she is on a PCA with no basal rate, and forgets to push her button often-- I have to remind her frequently) said to me, "If I had known it would be like this, I would have let nature take its course".

I was trying to think of something encouraging, and said 'sometimes when you are in the middle of an ordeal, its hard to see that things will get better, but after this, its a hope you can resume your normal life again.

I keep thinking about therapeutic communication, should I have asked her if she wanted to talk about this? What would a good response be?

thanks, I know I will come into contact with this many times again....

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I never offer false hopes to patients or family members. I don't want to say, "Everything is going to be fine," when a poor outcome might arise.

If a patient makes a negative or questionable statement, I'll usually chime in with, "Oh, really? Tell me more about what you have just said."

[jnette, ASN, EMT-I]

I will allow them time to elaborate, too, it they feel inclined. Which often they DO, if WE will be still long enough, and not rush off.

I also simply use "I am so sorry" ...a LOT. And allow my eyes, and my hand touching theirs, to say the rest.

Often this is what they need most.. simple validation by us LISTENING, CARING.

[hollyberry678]

Thanks so much to you both for your posts/replies. you are totally right. I have learned much, thanks...

[Tait, MSN, RN]

Sometimes the best thing to do with downtrodden patients is to sit with them, hold thier hand and just let them know you are there, and you empathize.

[GingerSue]

take the time to sit down with the person and listen

[anonymurse]

When patients are bummed out, I always try to find out what they love to do. Then I get them talking about their gardening (for instance) and get them picturing themselves pursuing some pet project they never got around to, and if I'm lucky, they'll promise themselves they'll tackle that project as a reward for working hard to get out of the hospital (triflow, ambulation, whatever). But I figure if I get them to see themselves doing what they love, we've done something very motivating.