Patients & Pet Peeves

[SisterofMary]

I am a nurse of 2 years and a recent hire on a acute medical/surgical floor.

I'm learning so much, which is great. However, it also feels like a whirlwind.

Does anyone have any pet peeves - behaviors that patient's have that make you frustrated?

However, I so dislike when patient's who are A & O curse in conversation. Or if they openly belch when I am nearby them or speaking to them. Thankfully, these are only minor incidents. Of course I always mask my inner thoughts and treat the patient with all due respect.

Anyone have any pet peeves? How do you deal with the situations or do you just let it go?

[Tenebrae, BSN, RN]

As a patient or family member I have a right to document what has happened the same as doctors and nurses have their notes as to what care they have given or their opinion of the patient as far as being cooperative etc.

Most of the time as a patient/family member I would be making note of prognosis, treatment, how to take care of the patient once released, the person's name that gave me information so if I have questions I know who to contact, when I need to see the doctor again, etc. Most of the time it would not be looking for a way to sue but a way to be sure that under a stressful situation you had the facts straight and knew who to ask for if you have a question or concern. If the nurse or doctor has been wonderful I would make note of that so I could pass it on later and let me add in my lifetime I have met many, many amazing nurses, doctors and technicians. If they were rude, condescending or harassed the patient to do something against their will that was not medically necessary I would also make note of that interaction. The same as doctors and nurses make note in the patient's chart of any interaction or behavior that needs to be made note of in order to protect themselves later.

I do believe that if a patient requests such things as surgery, their care while under anesthesia, how they are prepared for surgery to be recorded or observed by a family member that should be honored. That having been said I want to state there may have to be restrictions such as observing from a distance because I am fully aware there may be times that the observer could be overwhelmed if an emergency arises. But if a patient wants an observer why not? You are all professionals and should act in a professional manner and treat each patient and situation professionally.

You/a patient does not have the right to record me without my knowledge and/or permission

[applewhitern, BSN, RN]

Pet peeves? The visitor/family member who tries to answer everything you say, instead of letting the alert, oriented patient answer for himself. The patient who cannot answer a simple question, but instead gives you their entire history over again, and keeps yakking incessantly about nothing. The patient who comes up from the ER and immediately needs to pee, to eat, and to get pain medication, none of which was done in the ER, so now I have to stop initiating their orders, stop doing their paperwork, to toilet and feed them. And call the doctor, because there is NEVER any pain meds ordered.

[trytounderstand]

You/a patient does not have the right to record me without my knowledge and/or permission

I realize that I do not have a right to record but I do have a right to make notes of what you have told me or the patient to refer to later as regards to care or important phone numbers etc. If the patient wants to ask and record time/medication/care they do have a right to keep a record of that information and who provided the care because it is their body or in the case of a poa they have a right to document care for future reference.

They have a right to do this not necessarily to have documentation to sue but most patients myself included once they walk out of doctor's office or hospital they may not remember what was the name of the disease they said I had or do I put ice and elevate or heat, or what foods or medications do I have to avoid. Some patients although they may seem coherent when you are talking to them especially in a hospital or after strong medication forget everything.

So as far as keeping a little notebook or making notes on their phone, don't see a problem with it. The same as when I handed out important information I expected people to ask my name and to be responsible for that information

[CBlover, BSN, RN]

Man I have so many of these. I also hate when people burp right in your face and I also hate when they make a great big exhale right in your face. Uhh. I also hate when patients families don't let the pt answer when you're asking them about their pain level or asking them anything for that matter. Like the pt states their pain level is a 5 and the family is like "No mom..." and looks at me and goes "If mom states her pain is a 5 then it's actually like...10." NOOO. Pain is subjective TO THE PERSON EXPERIENCING IT. Maybe MOM has had 10/10 pain before and knows this aint even close. I am an ER nurse and so many things unnerve me in the ER. One thing I can't figure out is why when people come to the ER they act shocked when they have to get blood drawn or an xray. It's like dude you said you have had this abdominal pain for 2 weeks and you're upset you have to get blood drawn. We don't have magic wands we can run over you to see what's causing your "severe pain."

[DextersDisciple, BSN, RN]

I realize that I do not have a right to record but I do have a right to make notes of what you have told me or the patient to refer to later as regards to care or important phone numbers etc. If the patient wants to ask and record time/medication/care they do have a right to keep a record of that information and who provided the care because it is their body or in the case of a poa they have a right to document care for future reference.

They have a right to do this not necessarily to have documentation to sue but most patients myself included once they walk out of doctor's office or hospital they may not remember what was the name of the disease they said I had or do I put ice and elevate or heat, or what foods or medications do I have to avoid. Some patients although they may seem coherent when you are talking to them especially in a hospital or after strong medication forget everything.

So as far as keeping a little notebook or making notes on their phone, don't see a problem with it. The same as when I handed out important information I expected people to ask my name and to be responsible for that information

This Is why Nurses go over and provide printed discharge instructions with the patient and family.

My pet peeve is when a non-nurse/nursing student feels it's appropriate to be an instigator and post on a forum made for Nurses. 'CurtisSchooler' is a prime example.

[TriciaJ, RN]

I realize that I do not have a right to record but I do have a right to make notes of what you have told me or the patient to refer to later as regards to care or important phone numbers etc. If the patient wants to ask and record time/medication/care they do have a right to keep a record of that information and who provided the care because it is their body or in the case of a poa they have a right to document care for future reference.

They have a right to do this not necessarily to have documentation to sue but most patients myself included once they walk out of doctor's office or hospital they may not remember what was the name of the disease they said I had or do I put ice and elevate or heat, or what foods or medications do I have to avoid. Some patients although they may seem coherent when you are talking to them especially in a hospital or after strong medication forget everything.

So as far as keeping a little notebook or making notes on their phone, don't see a problem with it. The same as when I handed out important information I expected people to ask my name and to be responsible for that information

It's okay to make notes of information and instructions given you by your providers. Maybe you like to have your own notes, in addition to the discharge information provided.

It's not okay to meticulously document every interaction. It's an intimidation tactic. Like someone else mentioned, if you feel that distrustful of your providers, you should find a different hospital.

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

I don't even mind the time watchers! Especially if it's something like sickle cell... that's some SEVERE pain and they usually have a huge tolerance to their medication. Also, I feel like the medical community helped to create that monster of addiction/tolerance. I really wish we had other pain management options for chronic pain. Dilaudid for abdominal pain that has no cause despite tests really gets to me though. It's counterproductive. I get it, if you think they've got necrotic bowel, give them dilaudid. Short of that, NO! That's not really the patient, but the doc though.

I very much mind people that set their alarm to get meds, but don't wake up until its been blaring for 3-4 minutes. If I know that's happened, the meds get delayed until they wake to voice.

[jaderook01, BSN, RN]

Being a peds nurse, I realize that 99% of my "Pet Peeves" revolve around the parents. I've always said pediatric nursing needs their own version of Casual Friday called Parent-Free Monday...sorry not sorry.

The ONLY thing that kept me from peds was the parents. I taught kids for fourteen years and loved everything about my peds clinical in nursing school, except watching the nurses have to deal with some of those parents. To me it seemed like having parent/teacher conferences every day. No thanks.

[waterdrifter]

My pet peeve is when you have patent who is fully capable of answering your questions, but the family persistently answers for them. Like "how are you feeling today" etc. I will usually speak up and let them know the patient can answer for themselves.

Annie

When this happens, I politely explain to the family member that conversing with the client is a portion of my nursing assessment and that this assessment provides valuable information for the care team. This usually alleviates most issues. You have to remember, family members have feelings too and they may be equally as anxious about their loved one in the hospital and they just want to help out in any way that they can.

[dec2007]

#1) Family and friends taking phone poi and videos of"loved ones" while they are unconscious.

#2) "Helicopter" families.

[BeenThere2012, ASN, RN]

Brought back fond memories of my psych days. "A bunch of us would like to be taken outside for a smoke." (Yeah, just get a few more signatures on that petition and we have to take you. Not.)

And Davey Do...Psych patients who refuse to sit up and take their Meds as they scream profanities at you for waking them up when they sleep 24/7! Or, "I'll take them later." As if I have time with 20 plus patients and 3 med passes to remember to adjust their entire med schedule.

[TeleRN44]

Able bodied male patients who are suddenly incapable of using their arms to place their own twig into the urinal. I'm not referring to pleasantly demented older gentlemen or a younger guy post operatively. I'm talking about your run of the mill, alert and oriented, up and about, pees in a toilet but now on bed rest kinda dude.

I want to ask THOSE guys these questions each time:

1) Who helps you pee at home?

2) Has your member mysteriously gained weight since your admission?

3) Do you have T-Rex arm syndrome?

4) Do you hear a Media music soundtrack playing somewhere in the background (because I sure don't!)?

If the answer is "no" to all of the above, here is your urinal and your call light. Please ring when you're done and I'll be happy to come back to measure and dispose of your urine. í ½í¹„í ½í¸‚