People who don't look before flushing (#2)

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I had a patient come in the other day with abdominal symptoms. I was asking the usual questions, including what did his BM look like.

I'm surprised how many people don't look before flushing! Did something go wrong in toilet training? Did their parent or guardian instill a shame or revulsion to poop?

And what does Sigmund Freud have to say about this subject?

Sincerely Curious,

Emergent

Specializes in Med nurse in med-surg., float, HH, and PDN.

Jeff Foxworthy says something to the effect that, "If you shout out, 'Hey y'all need to come and look at THIS!', before you flush the toilet, you MIGHT be a Redneck!"

I've told this before on some other thread here a while back: One summer day I got 3 medium sized beets fresh from a friend's garden. I ate them...all three..and they were delicious!

A day and a half later after I pooped, when I stood and turned around, what I saw gave me a real adrenaline chill. What looked like a LOT of frank blood filled the water. I was stunned.

I said to myself: "Ok,ok, ok; Ummmm, no bloated abdomen, no stomach pain, no tenderness, don't feel dizzy..." I was running through all the s/s that might have given me an indication of trouble, trying to calm myself. Decided to wait a few minutes and just sit and listen to my body to see if I could discern anything that would cause such bleeding!

I was glad I hadn't gone into the panic-mode that threatened when I first saw that red water.

Warm relief flooded through my arms and chest when I remembered I had eaten all those beets!

If I'd called an ambulance and ended up after an ER with a diagnosis of "Multiple-Beet Ingestion" then my FACE would've been as red!

So, yes, look at your poop, but try to think before you get in a tizzy about what you see!

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

While visiting Mexico, my friend and I (both ICU nurses) were perhaps a bit over served at a tequila bar. Or perhaps there just wasn't enough alcohol to kill the bugs in the ice . . . .

Mildred felt poorly the next day, and I kindly offered her some of my Pepto Bismol. Which turned her tongue AND her poop black. She thought she was dying of an upper GI bleed.

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Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

oh you gotta just peek. Then you have that moment of why is it red? - oh yeah - i had beets last night.

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Or corny.

In keeping with the season:

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I have started using PooPouri (which is awesome btw) so I can't get a clear view of the offender. But still I try...

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Specializes in Med nurse in med-surg., float, HH, and PDN.
I have started using PooPouri (which is awesome btw) so I can't get a clear view of the offender. But still I try...

We tried a similar product,but found it useless.

Why are there so very few facility bathrooms that have ventilation fans? I suppose it comes down to $$$. Oh, fans are too expensive! Even though the patient pays a very hefty set of fees for all the services they need, never mind the cost for JUST the room! Why add to their comfort and/or dignity?

Even though 'everyone poops', everyone doesn't necessarily want to share their Eau d' Peuw with the world around them!

Excuse me. I guess that is a hot-button issue for me, and actually belongs on a whole different thread.

As you were; go on about your ​business!:roflmao:

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

Am I the only one who wondered for a little bit before reading the whole OP where the "People who don't look before flushing (#1)" thread was? :blink:

And yes, I look.

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Specializes in Med nurse in med-surg., float, HH, and PDN.
Am I the only one who wondered for a little bit before reading the whole OP where the "People who don't look before flushing (#1)" thread was? :blink:

Guess the OP wanted to, um, drop something into the water and see if it created any waves.

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Specializes in Med nurse in med-surg., float, HH, and PDN.
Am I the only one who wondered for a little bit before reading the whole OP where the "People who don't look before flushing (#1)" thread was? :blink:

Guess the OP wanted to, um, drop something substantial ​into the water and see if it created any waves.

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When did I eat corn?.....

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.
When did I eat corn?.....

BWAHAHAHAHA!!!

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I always look but that is because I have IBS and there is always something strange going on: blood clots, undigested food, :(

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