Learn To Say It Correctly!!

Updated:   Published

nurses-say-it-correctly.jpg.6b7b324be686944e89bf310af3666c2c.jpg

Doesn't it just drive you insane when someone tells you that Mr. Smith's O2 STAT is 96%?

It's O2 SAT people! Sat, short for saturation. I even hear respiratory therapists saying this. I am sooooo tempted to say something next time, but I know it's just petty, so I needed to vent here. Thank you.

Hmmm, I have a solution. The entire world should simply learn one language and one set of rules for articulating that language. To be fair, we should go with the the most widely spoken language worldwide. (Language spoken by more people)

I vote for Mandarin Chinese. After all, 1+ billion people cannot be wrong. 

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med Surg, Hospice.

My mother... whom I love and adore... after a billion corrections still says

Trigemini Neuralgia..... It's Trigeminal for the billionth and one time, Ma...

Rotator Cup..... You don't have a cup in your arm, Ma.... it's a cuff....

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg.

I worked in a pharmacy for a few years while taking my prereqs and people would always ask when their "subscription" would be ready.

Um, hello......it's PRESCRIPTION! 

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

I worked in a peds office in NJ where the receptionist would say "tyenol." I don't know if that was an NJ thing or what. Both she and the Chinese doctor would call the cartridge on the printer the "cartilage." The first time I was asked the order a new cartilage I was a little confused.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Ummm..."pronunciation"... Unless you're talking about regional angel dialects, of course. Then I completely understand where you're coming from. :chuckle

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych.

I'm always amazed at the number of people out in cyberspace who are trying to "loose" weight.

Perhaps if they did lose weight their pants would become looser...

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg.
las2009 said:
I'm always amazed at the number of people out in cyberspace who are trying to "loose" weight.

Perhaps if they did lose weight their pants would become looser...

?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER.

One that really bothers me is "limp" nodes. It is extremely hard for me to keep from cracking up on that one. It really sounds like a personal problem! I've had a few pts that have called their lymph nodes that, too. The larnyx and pharnyx really bug me. Also, I have heard that you could take a pulse ox in the "cartridge" of the ear!

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospice.

I also was a pharmacy tech and loved it when our clients would request the geriatric or genetic medication because the brand name was too expensive.

My biggest pet peeve though is grammar in regards to spelling. I wish people would learn the difference between your/you're, their/there/they're, and its/it's.

Wow, it felt good to get that out. Thanks, guys!

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neuro ICU and Med Surg.

My mom calls darvocets "DarBocets" I have to constantly correct her. She dosen't get it. She says melk instead of milk. Another thing that makes me crazy.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
mrsraisinkain said:

My biggest pet peeve though is grammar in regards to spelling. I wish people would learn the difference between your/you're, their/there/they're, and its/it's.

Wow, it felt good to get that out. Thanks, guys!

I couldn't agree with you more! You forgot we're, were and where.

I am a NS and have been working in a diagnostic sleep center for the past 3 years. I still crack a smile/roll my eyes when patients call and say that they have "sleep acne" and that their "C-pac" isn't working. (it's sleep apnea and CPAP-said C pap)

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

I know this is a vent thread, but....

We have a new nurse on our floor who says O2 stat instead of sat. I've tried to correct her by repeating it, like: Her: "The pt's o2 stat is 92% on room air." Me: "Oh, really? Yesterday I couldn't keep her SAT above 90 without a couple of liters of O2."

She's not getting it. It seems so awkward to interrupt her and say, "Hey, it's SAT, not stat." Why didn't her instructors correct her? I hate having to embarrass her like this. Is there any kind way to correct her? Or do I just have to say it? I'm thinking I just have to say it; I just don't want her to feel bad or self conscious. I guess there's nothing for it, unless any of you have a better idea (which I would be happy to hear!).

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion