Patients & Pet Peeves

Nurses General Nursing

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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?

I have been a nurse for a looooong, time 32 years to be exact. I have worked Neonatal ICU and ED. While working triage one day, pt presents with abdominal pain, of course 10/10, eating doritos and drinking mountain dew. Pt proceeds to tell me he has had this pain for about 1 year and he has an appointment with his PCP at 1000am this day, but just cant wait any longer.....it is 0830. I informed him that the ED wait was about 2hours depending on EMS and other possible EMERGENCIES and he could be seen quicker if he saw his PCP as scheduled. He opted to stay, but did not get to go back until 3 hours later. He then proceeds to curse and yell because he been in the back for 30 - 45 minutes and has not seen a provider yet. He stormed out left without being seen. Returned later, again cursing and yelling because he could not see his PCP then. So, the process started all over again. This time the ED wait was even longer. LOL He should've took my advice to begin with.

Another day in triage, pt presented with abdominal pain. When I asked, how would you rate your pain on a scale of 0 - 10. Zero being no pain at all and 10 is passed out. Pt quickly responded "10". Now on this particular day I didnt care if I got written up or even fired. My response was..."Hmmm, you are a miracle, because I have done this for a long time and I have never seen anybody passed out and still talking to me. You are a living miracle." The pt pain quickly became a 4. Yeah wonder I didn't get fired over that one..lol.

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Yes, BUT you would have every staff member requesting to work Monday, and no one would want to work the rest of the days! I had a 10 year old (old enough to know better, but was never taught how to act) scream bloody murder all the way to the OR (for a broken arm), plus screaming and kicking during anesthesia induction. We raced to the PACU while she was still down. When I went to get supplies for my next case, she was raising the roof in PACU with her screams. Thank goodness I am neither a peds or PACU nurse.

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Specializes in Reproductive & Public Health.

My favorite is when a patient calls with a question and insists they can only talk about it with me- and then when I get them on the phone they want to reschedule their appointment or find out how much an IUD costs. AHHHHHHHHHHHHH.

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In this situation I have found patients usually get the hint if you say things like "Here, I'll put your urinal close so you can reach it. Call me when you're done, and I will we empty it. Thanks!(smile).

That's smart. I will use that next time and be firm! I am slowly learning the art of nursing! Thanks for the tip.

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Another day in triage, pt presented with abdominal pain. When I asked, how would you rate your pain on a scale of 0 - 10. Zero being no pain at all and 10 is passed out. .

I think I'm going to use this numeric scale from now on because everyone seems to have 10/10 pain when I ask lol

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When a person calls on the phone to inquire about a patient and starts the conversation with "I'm the healthcare proxy so you can tell me what's going on" on a young~ish patient who's A&O x3.

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Family members call and the first thing they say is "How's my dad?". "I don't know. WHO is your dad?"

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Specializes in NICU/Mother-Baby/Peds/Mgmt.
My favorite is when a patient calls with a question and insists they can only talk about it with me- and then when I get them on the phone they want to reschedule their appointment or find out how much an IUD costs. AHHHHHHHHHHHHH.

That's when you say you don't know how to schedule appts or you'll have to have your admin check the price and put them on hold...for awhile....

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Specializes in PICU, Pediatrics, Trauma.
That's when you say you don't know how to schedule appts or you'll have to have your admin check the price and put them on hold...for awhile....

On hold for awhile? Most lay people don't know all our duties and what's not ours to do. I think many ask for whom they trust. That's a compliment. Just educate, no need to punish them.

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

They put up a faced combo numeric scale chart in our triage, Lego faces which the kids love. Under the 10 it says " death immenent" with 8 being unbearable. It has cut down on my 10s a lot, but still get the burning glare of " it is more than a 10! "

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Specializes in Public Health, TB.
They put up a faced combo numeric scale chart in our triage, Lego faces which the kids love. Under the 10 it says " death immenent" with 8 being unbearable. It has cut down on my 10s a lot, but still get the burning glare of " it is more than a 10! "

I just googled that Lego pain scale, love it!

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WOW....some of these posts.

20somethings who bring in Mummy and Daddy. The parents haven't cut the umbilical cord even when the adult child has a live in significant other.

You dont have kids do you?

Because I dont care if my daughter was 40, if she was in a horrible accident or potentially receiving a traumatic medical diagnosis, as her father I would be there if that's what SHE wants.

If she needed my shoulder, she'd have it.

If she needed me to advocate for her, I'd do it.

Will I answer for her? If she is capable of doing so for herself? No. But I will be there.

I so hate when people belch. Fart.And they can control their bowels! Very disrespectful.

It's a biological function. I might not be obnoxious about it, but if Im laying in a hospital bed sick, Im not going to hide it either just to suit your over sensitive nature.

In the grand scheme of things, this is your biggest pet peeve, you have it easy.

In the Bronx ER a pet peeve is being shot or stabbed while at work. Or a prisoner-patient wrapping an IV cord around your neck.

Oh yeah!

Husbands from those tribal countries where women are not allowed to speak or ask questions ,everything has to go thru him.

Women in veils refusing to take off the gloves to wash their hands,yet carry the latest expensive cell phone,and wearing bright red fredericks of hollywood push up bras under that cloak.

So because a woman from a religion and culture not your own wears gloves she cant have a nice cell phone?

Or because she wears certain outer garments has to wear unattractive undergarments?

I mean gosh that's so horrible that other people dont conform their dressing, or religious and cultural practices to your wishes. How do you get through your shift? It must be so traumatic for you!

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