I don't know if I expressed this clearly, but I truely do not think this son had any intention of causing trouble in the hospital. I think he felt helpless seeing his mother in that much pain and he was not able to do anything about it. I also think that when he saw me standing in the hallway talk to the other nurse in front of my computer he probably thought I was just hanging out ignoring his mothers pain. I think his gut instinct was to put on his tough guy act to get things done. I never doubted that his mom was in real pain. I was doing what I could in that particular moment to ease the pain, I had given the pain meds I had available and was calling for more. In hind site, I could have made a phone call sooner, next time I will.
I feel for this family, it is not easy to see a loved one suffer. I have to ask and I don't mean for this to sound disrespectful, but how should the nurse "act" in front of the family when they are trying to get what they need done? Obviously sympathetic , but do they need to stop and explain every move they are making?