With some of the things patients say, Nurses sometimes wonder if they are on a hidden camera TV show! Weird, wacky or even touching, those phrases stick with us. Think of your favorite thing a patient has said, submit it in the comments below and you'll be entered to win a $250 amazon.com gift card!
Winner will be announced May 16, 2017
UPDATE June 5, 2017
The winner of the $250 amazon.com gift card for favorite thing a patient has said from allnurses.com is user jndmj30 for:
Specializes in Med nurse in med-surg., float, HH, and PDN.
I've posted this anecdote on other threads, but it is really worth trotting out again:
Was working in a doctor's office, a son brought in his mom. I was doing my little conversational thing as I got her set up. She had a cute, round, straw purse that was decoupaged, so I mentioned that I liked her purse, and she replied, "Thank you; it used to be a baby's head."
ETOH withdrawal patient on a med surg unit was reaching forward over his mattress, rubbing his fingers, and clicking his tongue. I asked him what he was doing. "Calling my rabbits."
A gentleman back at the memory care facility had non-Alzheimer's issues. He told me he was very happy with my care, that he worked for Obama (president at the time) and could secure me an internal position as well. Later he realized that was a delusion and he was so embarrassed it broke my heart.
Carrying out pressure ulcer risk assessment on 90 something yr old lady in her own home. Totally with it mentally and very sweet. Offer to order her a pressure relieving cushion which she declines stating "no thank you, I think they're for old people, I'll have one when I get old.
I was on shift and doing my lunchtime accucheks... I ask my patient which finger would you like me to use. He proceeds to flip me the bird. I guess I got my answer. :)
Patient: Where are you from? (I get ask this question all the time. It never fails)
Me: uhh, America.....the United States 😑
Patient: No, no. I mean, like, where are you from?
Me: *palm to face* (thinking to myself how is this even relevant to why you're here & what we're doing for you. 🤔) Well, my parents are from Laos. I grew up here in the States.
still funny
No Stars In My Eyes
5,636 Posts
I've posted this anecdote on other threads, but it is really worth trotting out again:
Was working in a doctor's office, a son brought in his mom. I was doing my little conversational thing as I got her set up. She had a cute, round, straw purse that was decoupaged, so I mentioned that I liked her purse, and she replied, "Thank you; it used to be a baby's head."