What can you tolerate the least?

[Infofreak411]

I've heard that every nurse has their one thing that they don't like and grosses them out and they don't like dealing with. What is your one thing?

For me it would be vomit! I cannot stand vomit!

[ixchel]

Trying not to violate HIPAA.

A case of very severe mucositis (and likely infection) of the upper GI tract tissue. Among many issues, also some DIC. Suspect that micro emboli/clot below visualized areas, may have contributed to some necrosis that was difficult to assess given the inflammation.

During AM care, gentle rinsing, the tongue broke loose and fell out.

What did that smell like?

[AmyRN303, BSN, RN]

Trying not to violate HIPAA.

A case of very severe mucositis (and likely infection) of the upper GI tract tissue. Among many issues, also some DIC. Suspect that micro emboli/clot below visualized areas, may have contributed to some necrosis that was difficult to assess given the inflammation.

During AM care, gentle rinsing, the tongue broke loose and fell out.

Wow. Just wow. I don't know how I would have responded to that.

[Tenebrae, BSN, RN]

I am tolerant of most things....maggots in wounds...that's a NO!

Its becoming more common place using maggot therapy in chronic wounds.

I recall once with a fungating wound that had primarily been left open as patient would not allow it to be dressed, and it had a very large infestation

I simply cannot stand a huge lugie/hocker/goober. I just can't stand them. Have someone cough up or suction out a huge thick tenacious mucous plug. I don't eat lunch....

Sputum would be my kryptonite other body substances not an issue

Interestingly enough, while I can can give an injection or take bloods, I'm somewhat needle phobic when it comes to myself.

[martymoose, BSN, RN]

Patients who make the big effort ( iykwim) to flatulate while you are standing right there talking to them. Really?????

So gross.

I understand an "oops" or something, but this is forced. Had 2 different pts do this over the weekend. a guy and a girl. On plastic vinyl chairs.

Barf. So Rude.

And I usually think this is funny.

[MOSTLYHAPPYRN]

Why do so many nurses have such a hard time with sputum?

For me, it's only getting worse! I'm getting more sensitive to it, not less!!

It's just another bodily fluid, so what makes it so collectively disgusting!!??

Mostly happy RN

[Racer15, BSN, RN]

I just thought of a new one. I will FLEE from pt rooms when they have live insects in their ears. The first time this happened to me I thought the pt was nuts. Till I looked in her ear and saw cockroach legs waving about. Dropped the otoscope and said "the doctor will be right in!" While simultaneously fleeing the room. Can't do it! I now make my coworkers deal with any potential bug-in-ear situations.

[Christy1019, ASN, RN]

Why do so many nurses have such a hard time with sputum?

For me, it's only getting worse! I'm getting more sensitive to it, not less!!

It's just another bodily fluid, so what makes it so collectively disgusting!!??

Mostly happy RN

Well I've read on here that respiratory therapists were a branching off of nursing, so maybe the ones that could handle the sputum became RTs and the rest of us just gag and call the RTs Lmao.

[FranEMTnurse, CNA, LPN, EMT-I]

I can't tolerate nausea.

[No Stars In My Eyes]

I can't tolerate nausea.

Your own, or others' ?

[FranEMTnurse, CNA, LPN, EMT-I]

mine. I don't mind others' nausea at all.

[JustcallmeNurse]

On my unit we have a lot of head/neck/mouth cancer.....the top two worst smells for me are:

#1-when someone has a neck dissection with hemiglossectomy, gets a trach for airway protection, and are then non-compliant with being NPO. The resulting fistula smell that comes from their neck/trach is so gross.

#2-when someone has a trach and is undergoing radiation for head/neck/mouth/sinus cancer. The trach secretions smell like straight up death.

[sourapril]

Any deep wounds...they look horrible and smell horrible.