Seriously?!?

[AngelfireRN, MSN, RN, APRN]

I have about hit my limit today.

I'd be very interested in hearing y'all's experiences with patients who come in spouting all manner of malarkey that makes about as much sense as a milk bucket under a bull.

Case in point, a certain UTI patient who was responding well to antibiotic therapy telling me, "I just thought you'd want to know, one of my 'nursing friends' told me this was probably viral'.

"Um, no, probably not, considering we are seeing improvement with antibiotics. Viruses don't tend to respond to antibiotics and viral UTIs are incredibly rare in an immunocompetent patient."

"Well, he said it was probably viral and that's why it kept coming back and that ***(partner) needs to be treated too so they don't catch it." (Mind, we aren't talking about STI, just a very far gone UTI that was 3 weeks running before treatment was sought). This argument went on with her continuing to tout this 'nursing friend' and his infinite wisdom for about 20 minutes. Finally, after refuting multiple asinine claims, I had had enough.

"Hon, if your 'nursing friend' told you that a UTI in a healthy patient was viral AND transmissible, he needs to contact his nursing school and ask about a refund."

This was followed by telling me that the antibiotics 'gave her a panic attack' and that they had tried to call 'for days and days' without getting an answer. And was capped off by the partner telling me, "You scared us to death telling us that antibiotic might be expensive, it was only $13!"

Okkkkkk, I'm sorry I tried to prepare you and you got a pleasant surprise?

Anyone got any other head-scratchers?

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Gosh, for an experienced NP, you seem to have lots of drama. For me, I've been in the same situation - you listen politely and then....life goes on.

Don't waste your time on drama!

[AngelfireRN, MSN, RN, APRN]

35 minutes ago, traumaRUs said:

Gosh, for an experienced NP, you seem to have lots of drama. For me, I've been in the same situation - you listen politely and then....life goes on.

Don't waste your time on drama!

It boggles my mind, I tend to attract a demographic that seems to thrive on it! Normally I shrug and go on, but this one has stuck with me for some reason. Probably because it was equal parts hilarious and maddening.

[LibraSunCNM, BSN, MSN, CNM]

I dunno, that situation is quite low on the list of things that would make me "hit my limit." Educate and then move on.

[Davey Do]

Yeah! Don't cut off your nose to spite your face!

(Even though it will grow back.)

[KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN]

I'd heard something quite like that from an RN, not a patient. As well as thinngs about tylenol being "sleeping pill", for one other, not too egregious, example.

I could write a book about the subject, but my absolute pet peeve are "I am allergic/they told me I am allergic to" things. Perhaps it is because I live with very severe allergies and know what it entails. But I just cannot stand allergies like "feeling his heart stopping" (adenosine), "bad taste in mouth" (when he finally woke up from DKA coma and found insulin drip going nearby - yeah, the "allergy" was only on IV insulin, not SQ), "bad dreams" (ketamine), "weight gain and DM decompensation (steroids) and "diarrhea" (any type of laxative and enema of your choice).

I mean, they can say that. But whoever types it all in the system got to have at least some kind of education, isn't he?

[Sassy-RN]

I’ve heard some real dozzies! This one is sounds pretty standard to me… But depending on the day - any little thing could make us reach our limit! Feel free to continue venting, that’s what this site is for, right?

[Emergent, RN]

It must have been the straw that broke the camel's back, since it seems pretty every day patient stupidity.

I think we've all had our moments of first world problems of the less intellectually endowed of our patients. Combine that with the need impose on us to 'not tell it as it is' for fear of a social media firestorm, or a negative review leading to reduced reimbursement...

[AngelfireRN, MSN, RN, APRN]

12 hours ago, Emergent said:

It must have been the straw that broke the camel's back, since it seems pretty every day patient stupidity.

I think we've all had our moments of first world problems of the less intellectually endowed of our patients. Combine that with the need impose on us to 'not tell it as it is' for fear of a social media firestorm, or a negative review leading to reduced reimbursement...

Yep, pretty much. I can handle ignorance, but the prolonged insistence of the validity, combined with the accusation of it being my fault that the person had a panic attack because I had the gall to prescribe an antibiotic...I think after about 20 minutes of a revolving door, I just hit my tippy point.

As far as social media or negative reviews, I own my own practice so I have a little more leeway and while my delivery may be a tad abrasive if my usual nice approach isn't working, people as a whole tend to understand that I'm frustrated because I'm TRYING to help.

Some days are just days, lol.

[Kitiger, RN]

I had a cardiac patient - on diuretics - tell me his doctor said to never eat salads because it took all the potassium out of him. He said he had been taking 7 times as much potassium as most people take, and he "didn't have but a tiny bit of potassium in him." He also told me that the way to know if your potassium level is right is to eat a banana; if it tastes bitter, you don't have enough potassium in you!" "You don't need to get a blood draw, just taste a banana."

[AngelfireRN, MSN, RN, APRN]

26 minutes ago, Kitiger said:

I had a cardiac patient - on diuretics - tell me his doctor said to never eat salads because it took all the potassium out of him. He said he had been taking 7 times as much potassium as most people take, and he "didn't have but a tiny bit of potassium in him." He also told me that the way to know if your potassium level is right is to eat a banana; if it tastes bitter, you don't have enough potassium in you!" "You don't need to get a blood draw, just taste a banana."

Well, I once had one ask for a urinalysis and when it came back clear, she told me not to bother checking her ears. No UTI s/s, thought she had an otitis. Then she informed me that if you had 'infection anywhere in your body, it'd show in a UA.' Silly me, I always used an otoscope to check ears.

I did good and held it together. The drug screener left a vapor trail out the back door where she could cackle in peace.

I wonder if my gal and your guy were related?

[paramedic-RN]

This sounds like all my patient's every day, you must be used to a more educated and sensible patient population. This won't be the last ignorant and ridiculous patient you deal with.