what are some of the most ridiculous things that patients or family members or even coworkers have said to you? we had one patient complain because i bent their straw down too far. same patient also complained because we let them fall asleep and they had a "nightmare"[color=#333233]
and this is more of a annoyance, but i had a patient with a bp that was going down the toilet but surprisingly this patient was still conscious and talking to me - said they felt fine! i was busy talking to the doc and getting orders and taking care of this situation when a family member of a patient i discharged earlier that night calls me at 0300 asking me, "my mom feels nauseous, is it okay if i give her her nausea medicine?"
The "proof" was her letters from the allergist in Dallas. Oh and everyone had to speak 'softly' too. Her teenage children were there and I figured they would be a little off but actually very normal, nice kids. The WHOLE family though revolved around her and everything was such an ordeal. Our NM had pre-assigned the nurses too. Without warning us beforehand. Smart woman but I lost quite a bit respect of the NM over that deal.
Nice. I still have a nagging feeling that the "specialist" might not have been kosher, if you know what I mean. Maybe because I once had a patient who also had a "specialist" who recommended all kinds of herbals (which we didn't do/have) and allergy linens (which we did have but cost a bundle), organic foods (also a problem) and of course, a private room with special cleaning supplies (which would normally cost $$ but it was "medically necessary"). Oh, and this specialist? Turned out to be her cousin. And yes, a doctor....but a PhD. Thank heavens for the nurse manager who checked THAT out, and NO thanks to the hospitalist who admitted and didn't think twice about robotically ordering their stupid requests.
Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
What are some of the most ridiculous things that patients or family members or even coworkers have said to you? We had one patient complain because I bent their straw down too far. Same patient also complained because we let them fall asleep and they had a "nightmare":uhoh3:
And this is more of a annoyance, but I had a patient with a BP that was going down the toilet but surprisingly this patient was still conscious and talking to me - said they felt fine! I was busy talking to the doc and getting orders and taking care of this situation when a family member of a patient I discharged earlier that night CALLS ME AT 0300 asking me, "my mom feels nauseous, is it okay if I give her her nausea medicine?"
Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
The one with a list of 50 medications that they are allergic to. Literally.
LOL. When I worked outpatient surgery, we had a patient who needed three allergy bands, and every band had multiple medications on it. And yes, she had a psych history.
Oh, yes, I see we've had this same patient! It's unbearable pain, but if it means trying a non-narcotic (and/or possibly not getting that same yummy IV narcotic) then they'll be "just fine" until the IV narc is due. Remarkable.
Eh. I can at least deal with these sorts of drug seekers. (Or maybe just someone who wants to get a little high while they're in the hospital. Whatevs.)
It's when they start screaming and calling you names. Or that awful, whinging --- can't you pleeeasseee call the doctor, I neeeeeeed the dilaudid.
Just remembered the family of my 300 pound patient, who kept sneaking her food and complaining that we were "starving" her on her 2,000 cal diet. Yes, in case you were wondering, she was diabetic, unhealing leg/foot wounds, grime growing in the abdominal folds, isolation, the works.
But please, family, make sure you bring her double cheeseburgers and fries. THAT'LL help the situation.
I've had multiple patients tell us they're allergic to epinephrine.
Um, you DO know that your body is producing epinephrine right now, as we speak, right?
I also had a patient tell me just a couple of weeks about that she can't take clindamycin. When I asked what happens when she takes it, she said it makes her bleed. OK. I had to ask "bleed where"? thinking MAYBE a little blood in the stool with the upset stomach? Nope, she said "down THERE!". She wasn't going to say it so I had to ask "do you mean lady partslly?" and she said YES! I'm thinking that may be a once in a lifetime of a nursing career....
When I was a working as a tech, I remember having a pt one night who had about 50 allergies. The only ones that I recall are magazine paper & the local water (could only drink Fiji bottled). But they were all along the same lines of ridiculousness.
I had a patient who was burned on the back, back of the neck and the tops of his hands. He said he fell on a BBQer, I was like hmm...ok, you fell backwards?? Turned out he actually had a meth lab explode and when it caught fire he was running away and it exploded.
Patient after quadruple bipass surgery on low sodium diet "can you please bring me a big bag full of taco bell sauce? this food is so bland!" (this was my grandfather....)
RNsRWe, ASN, RN
3 Articles; 10,428 Posts
Nice. I still have a nagging feeling that the "specialist" might not have been kosher, if you know what I mean. Maybe because I once had a patient who also had a "specialist" who recommended all kinds of herbals (which we didn't do/have) and allergy linens (which we did have but cost a bundle), organic foods (also a problem) and of course, a private room with special cleaning supplies (which would normally cost $$ but it was "medically necessary"). Oh, and this specialist? Turned out to be her cousin. And yes, a doctor....but a PhD. Thank heavens for the nurse manager who checked THAT out, and NO thanks to the hospitalist who admitted and didn't think twice about robotically ordering their stupid requests.