metaphors

dthfytr, ADN, LPN, RN, EMT-B, EMT-I · Aug 2, 2011

When giving a prescription for antibiotics, I explain that it's birth control for germs. Once they start the antibiotics the germs can't reproduce, so they have to wait for all the germs to die of old age. That's why one dose of an antibiotic they have hanging around doesn't cure anything.

If they stop the antibiotics too soon, the germs that are left are the ones most resistant to the antibiotic. If the infection returns, the next antibiotic usually costs 10 times as much as the original.

Sunny Lioness · Aug 2, 2011

Most patients hear they're being prescribed a "water pill" to help with their excess fluid retention & assume that it'll cause them to lose weight & thus inches. However, it can be explained to them that a sponge is the same size (inches) whether it is saturated with water or dry as a bone.

klone, MSN, RN · Aug 2, 2011

I kind of dislike most metaphors. It can be perceived as condescending, and unless they're children or developmentally delayed, most people are capable of understanding what you're telling them, as long as you're not using a bunch of technical terms.

I think most people can understand "platelets clumping up" without having to say "your platelets are like bugs"

trauma_lama, BSN · Aug 2, 2011

Oh wow I don't think they're condescending at all! They help me in school and they've always helped me as a patient before I became more educated about biology. How you say them can make them helpful or can make them patronizing. You don't have to talk about platelets being like bugs, because platelets clumping up is a pretty simple concept. However using a brittle garden hose metaphor to help a pt understand arteriosclerosis not only helps them understand the concept but gives a good visual, too. Condescention with metaphors comes from delivery and word choice, but is not inherentlly part of a metaphor, IMO.

brownbook · Aug 2, 2011

I love metaphors. It all depends on everyone's (the nurses and the patient's) level of knowledge or area of expertise. I think of a metaphor as a "trick" to help me (or the patient) remember or understand a concept. No different from the mnemonics used to remember the 12 cranial nerves, or the simple cardiac leads saying, "white to right, smoke over fire."

A nurse has to assess the patients level of understanding with a few questions and gauge what tools you need to do patient teaching.

I do admit I don't like to hear nurses say lactated ringer is like Gatorade without the sugar . I don't know why, it does annoy me???

And gosh darn it, I can not think of one good metaphor I use!!!!!!! Maybe I need a mnemonic for that!

xtxrn, ASN, RN · Aug 2, 2011

I kind of dislike most metaphors. It can be perceived as condescending, and unless they're children or developmentally delayed, most people are capable of understanding what you're telling them, as long as you're not using a bunch of technical terms.
I think most people can understand "platelets clumping up" without having to say "your platelets are like bugs"

But not everybody can understand that- it's very individualized :) What can help is asking the patient how much they know about a subject, and go from there- and always ask if what you say makes sense :)

dthfytr, ADN, LPN, RN, EMT-B, EMT-I · Aug 3, 2011

I used to know a good metaphor to remind me to take my alzhiemers medicine........Gee I hope we have pudding with supper, huh? today's not October?

xtxrn, ASN, RN · Aug 3, 2011

I used to know a good metaphor to remind me to take my alzhiemers medicine........Gee I hope we have pudding with supper, huh? today's not October?

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::smackingf:hpygrp:

talaxandra · Aug 3, 2011

Someone on another thread compared hyperglycemia to little knives cutting blood vessels, which I liked.

When talking to relatives I often compare unconsciousness to being under water - the person may be close to the surface, with some awareness but unable to interact, or deep and dark. I also tell them about two patients I cared for who appeared to be prooundly unconscious but when they regained consciousness had recall of events - including a man whose wife and best friend were indiscreet about their affair while in his (unresponsive) presence!

canesdukegirl, BSN, RN · Aug 3, 2011

I like metaphors as well and use them often. My responsibility is to teach my patients in a way that they will understand. If while doing my initial assessment, I conclude that the pt is much too nervous or anxious to really understand what I am trying to teach, metaphors are a great way to not only to calm them down, but also a great way to have fun with your pt while teaching them the important points you want to convey. You can deliver your message with humor, with exuberance, and with knowledge.

I had a pt once s/p bowel resection in the PACU who was INSISTENT on drinking fluids before he was ready. He was a commercial farmer. He would get angry, demand some water, and then fall asleep in mid-rant. When he was finally awake enough to listen to me tell him why he couldn't have water in large amounts, he accused me of being Nurse Ratched and demanded to have another nurse. At that point I used a metaphor.

"When you have general anesthesia, your bowels in effect, go to sleep just like you did. They stop moving. If you dump a bunch of water in your stomach right now, it would be the same as when you water a really dry seedling that you are preparing to transplant into your garden. You see the water going in, you think that the plant is getting some water, but then you see most of the water pouring out of the bottom. This happens because the soil is too dry to accept water in large amounts, and it all filters out to the bottom, which you have seen many times in your work. Right now, you have to treat your digestive system the same way. If you sip a little bit of water in the beginning and see how you tolerate it, then you can gradually add more. If you dump a whole lot of water into your system right now, it will come right back up, because your bowels are like the dry plant-it can't move thorough your system in an effective way."

He stopped his ranting and understood what I meant simply because I used a metaphor that he could relate to.

frisco96 · Aug 4, 2011

You all are the best!! Thank you!!

Any more? :)