Nursey things that you'll NEVER say again.

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Specializes in med-surg, psych, ER, school nurse-CRNP.

I am able to stand for the first time in 3 days. In those 3 days, I have been bedridden, because any change in altitude caused me to heave my toenails up. I have had no solid food, save a cracker. I have had no end to the helpful advice of my nonmedical family.

And as God is my witness, I will never, ever say, "You need to eat SOMETHING!" to a nauseated person again.

What are some of yours?

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Specializes in ICU, ER.

After having to drink a gallon of golytely myself recently, I will never again get mad at a patient that can't finish it. It is absolutely disgusting.

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Specializes in Certified Med/Surg tele, and other stuff.

I don't say this will only hurt for a second and be over with. I had a personal experience with fragmin injections for 2 weeks when I was diagnosed with a DVT. Those shots HURT and they hurt worse if you move like 5 seconds afterwards. It burns, burns, burns. Now I apologize and tell them that their bellies will be sore and will burn.

Glad you are feeling better!:)

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My 72 yo Father was 3 days post-op fm major lung sx.I walked into his room to find him having significant sob.When I called for his nurse she walked in the room and said "I just left here and you were fine" She proceeded to take his SAO2 which was 96%. She kept telling him to "relax " Yes his SAO2 was "fine" but he was working hard to maintain that. Its been 7 yrs and I have never told a resp pt to "relax" As of note he went back to ICU the next morning and had a bronch!

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Great thread, I never had any sympathy for medication that caused dry mouth until I got it myself! OMG its horrible.

Hope you feel better AngelfireRN.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

While prepping a pt for a minor surgery she was very very worried. I told her not to worry.

I will never, ever say that again.

She died on the table. It was one of those fluke things. I never tell a patient not to worry now, I say It's okay to be nervous and offer comfort.

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Specializes in med-surg 5 years geriatrics 12 years.

I USED to tell patients they would feel a little stick with a Lovenox injection....until I was in the hospital overnight for hypertension and received one of those little sticks....it burned like fury for several minutes !!

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Specializes in NICU.

Yea I had a patient one time that told me she felt like she wouldn't make it through surgery... I told her "You'll be alright." She coded on the table... Made it though... thank goodness

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I used to tell pts the only was to get rid of post op gas pain was to walk until I had my Lap Chole. Gas pains hurt!!;)

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Unfortunately I have had the "privilige" of incurring several surgeries from appendectomy to mastectomy (and more.) I have experienced many things that just validate the way I have treated patients over the years. Pain IS what the patient says it is, I was told "You have a morphine PCA, you shouldn't be having pain"....I was in misery.

It is also frightening when you are nauseated or are having trouble breathing and someone is trying to get you to lie down....I agree with jojo78, it is hard to hear "just relax." I also agree that it is better to say something like, "I know it is frightening, uncomfortable, painful (fill in the blank) rather than "just relax."

I also agree with the comments about the injections....I take insulin, and let me tell you, Humalog and Lantus both sting/burn....never knew that before I started taking it! Too rambling...I'm sorry!

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

Agree with all of the above! While I've never had lovenox injections, I have a few surgeries under my belt, including several laparoscopies (I've had endometriosis for over 10 years), a shoulder scope, tonsils, etc. I had an NG tube in once, when I had an ileus post op. While I'm not happy to have such a history at my age, it sure changes the empathy factor when dealing with patients. I know what you mean, onetiredmomma, about the gas pains! I had a long surgery a while back to have my endo resected, and had such pain that night...felt like a side stitch you get from running, I couldn't even catch my breath. I was starting to worry that maybe I'd thrown a PE or something, it was THAT severe and I could hardly talk because any attempt to breathe resulted in a sharp stabbing pain. NG's are MISERABLE beasts, too, so I never blow off patient complaints about them (even if I can't make them feel better!).

Great thread!

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Specializes in LTC full time Hospital Float PRN.

I will never say "when is the baby due" again. Last time I did was over 30 yrs ago.

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