How do you respond to a resident who gets attention by pretending to be in pain?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

:confused:

I am trying to prepare myself for a CNA interview tomorrow and found this question while searching for CNA interview questions. I'm a brand new CNA so I'm honestly not sure how I would handle this situation:

Mrs. Jones is in the facility for a fractured hip. She constantly likes attn. by putting on the call light pretending to be in pain. Everyone on the hall is ignoring her. You pass by the room and hear her crying what is your response?

We once had two ladies that religiously put their lights on for their nightly vicodin fix. Since it was not prescribed as a routine sleeper, I would ask them politely about their pain. One lady who was a nurse in another life, complied with my question or spoke about her "pain" and all went well. The other lady would not open her mouth, only stare at me with the most hateful look on her face. I grew to dislike her look immensely. Finally, one day I had had enough and I told her that she was putting me in an untenable position so I would have to report her behavior to her doctor. Stubbornly, the next night she acted the very same way. A CNA asked me about the "pain". I told her that no pain behavior was ever exhibited. Nothing whatsover. But a wise patient just would have played along with the game to get her nightly vicodin. No need to be evil about it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you DusktilDawn that's exactly what I was taught in my CNA class. That one interview question threw me off a bit because during my clinicals at a nursing home there were a couple of residents that would constantly complain about pain and the CNA would just tell us something like "oh she always complains. She's fine." And our teacher told us we were there to listen and observe and not criticize even if we thought what the CNA was doing was wrong.

There was one day in clinicals I attempted to take a resident's blood pressure who was known to have a lot of pain complaints but the CNAs said she was fine. She cried out in pain as soon as I pumped the cuff a couple of times so I immediately removed it, told her I would come back in a few minutes, and then when I came back she said she was frightened. So I calmly told her why I needed to take her blood pressure and rubbed her arm since she said it hurt. I took the approach I was taught in school and sure enough I was able to get her calm enough to get her blood pressure. So you are right, she was probably afraid and overwhelmed.

By the way my interview was today and it was actually for a home health aide position but it was an easy interview and the recruiter hired me. The only problem is I have another part time job (non-nursing related) that pays double of what the home heath aid job pays so I can't quit that job just yet. So she said she can't promise which days will be available for me to work quite yet since my schedule is limted, but at least I impressed her enough to get hired! :rckn:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, PICU, School Nursing, Case Mgt.
Swsrn- why don't you re read the original posts , then you will need to apologize to the OP.

No, if you will read my later post you will see that I did apologize very sincerely and profoundly to the OP!!!!!!!

and to CT and Layna who already pointed that out....Thank You and Thank You :redpinkhe

s

Up Vote Up Vote ×
we once had two ladies that religiously put their lights on for their nightly vicodin fix. since it was not prescribed as a routine sleeper, i would ask them politely about their pain. one lady who was a nurse in another life, complied with my question or spoke about her "pain" and all went well. the other lady would not open her mouth, only stare at me with the most hateful look on her face. i grew to dislike her look immensely. finally, one day i had had enough and i told her that she was putting me in an untenable position so i would have to report her behavior to her doctor. stubbornly, the next night she acted the very same way. a cna asked me about the "pain". i told her that no pain behavior was ever exhibited. nothing whatsover. but a wise patient just would have played along with the game to get her nightly vicodin. no need to be evil about it.

:uhoh21: these are the residents, patients, and clients i am nervous about!! one of the girls in my cna class got fired from a ltcf because a resident lied and said the girl and another cna had given her medication when they actually hadn't. i don't know if that's exactly how it happened since i wasn't there but the girl did mention the resident didn't like her.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in MS, LTC, Post Op.

I have done LTC most of my nursing career, fractured hips hurt. Remember that pain is the 5th vital sign, it should be reported to the LPN or the RN in charge. Now what transpires from there you have no control over (medicating the resident) but, if you have a moment, go in, sit down and listen to Mrs. Jones. She may just need someone to talk to, a little sympathy and some TLC.

I have always approached patient care with the thoughts that I will treat my residents/patients, the way I would want my grandmother, mother, father, husband, treated...

LTC takes alot of patience...love...and compassion.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in M/S, MICU, CVICU, SICU, ER, Trauma, NICU.
I absolutley agree with the other posters....the pain is what the patient says it is! This poor lady is doing more than saying....she's crying and moaning....what makes you think she is trying to get attention? Especially as you have no experience.

We are taught in nursing school and we observe in clinicals and of course on the floor working that pain is manifested in many ways. Not all of them are verbal. In fact, most are not. I worked in PICU for many, many years. Other than crying, signs of pain are grimacing, guarding, tachycardia, tachypnea, rocking, moaning, and also acting out. This list is not all inclusive. I am sure there are more I am forgetting right now.

THis lady needs an advocate...someone to find out why she is in pain and then FIX it.

I hope you develop a little more compassion as you work...I sure would not want to have anyone taking care of my 86year old mother with an attitude like this.

Unresolved pain is an issue that is near and dear to my heart....I have had 4 major surgeries and know first hand what it is like to lay in a hospital bed in extreme pain and see and hear the staff go on about their business.

Until I called for an anesthesia consult...but that's another story.

s

I do not understand why getting information or clarifying something makes someone compassionless, but I see that there were apologies so...never mind.....

Up Vote Up Vote ×
:uhoh21: these are the residents, patients, and clients i am nervous about!! one of the girls in my cna class got fired from a ltcf because a resident lied and said the girl and another cna had given her medication when they actually hadn't. i don't know if that's exactly how it happened since i wasn't there but the girl did mention the resident didn't like her.

yes, most definitely these are the residents you must be wary of. they will knife you front and back and you know it is coming, you just don't know when. i learned to bring a witness, another nurse or cna, into the room with me when dealing with people like this.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment