What do your ER patients families say or do that irks you?

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · Sep 24, 2005

Found out recently that the local liquor store sells 40 oz beers, so that "I only had 2 beers" thing is technically true.

My pet peeve is the alcoholic drinks with caffeine, just what I need, a drunk that's wide awake.

Vikingkitten · May 21, 2008

You know, I too am always amazed at the people that decide go out on a leisurely and relaxing walk....at 0315 in the AM...in temperatures of 18 degree F...in a dangerous neighborhood 5-10 miles from their home...and were minding their own business...with 1,000-2,000 dollars cash in their pocket..when they were unexpectedly set upon for no reason whatsoever by thugs that shot/knifed them.
I never really knew how many people that do this on a regular basis. And the big mystery, is after they have this happen to them three or four times....for absolutely no reason...that they never stop having "leisurely walks" at 0315 in the AM, etc. etc.

:confused:in my experience, the most dangerous activity one can indulge in, which usually results in an ER visit is abbreviated SOCMOB- Standing on the Corner Minding Own Business! Some of the others that will result in "These two Black/ White/ Mexican Dudes" stabbing/shooting/assaulting you are: Reading my Bible to my Grandmother; Walking my Girlfriend's dog; Sitting in my car.......... there are many others.

"And now, for something completely different"!

epsilonprodigy · May 24, 2008

I find it really aggressive and offensive when (usually NON-URGENT) patients' family members stand in the doorways of their rooms and glare at you, or stand at the nurses' station and do the same while you are clearly busy. I work in an inner city hospital. We deal with a pretty rough and tumble crowd-- someone had SUCH a great quote on here somewhere, that went "Remember that the terrible attitude of the impoverished is really just a mix of rage and humiliation- they were never issued the bootstraps by which they're supposed to pull themselves up..." Or something to that effect. Brilliant. I think of it many times a day when things like this happen and find that you can endear just about anyone into politeness when they see that you think they are worth a few kind words. But that doesn't mean it doesn't &^%@ me off a bit when they're in your face saying "my baby's in PAAAAAIIIN...." as the kid is laughing and singing Barney, etc. LOL

DebanamRN, MSN, RN · May 24, 2008

Thursday night: We had a patients wife waving the urinal at us. Wanted us to drop everything and come get it. We had a chest pain, a resp distress, a bradycardia (40hr), a sundowner, asst psych pts. A 1/4 full urnial isn't a priority. To top everything off, she had wanted me to help him use the urinal. An AAOx3 capable man. Oh please.

Recently had a pts wife want me to "clean him up." He had wet the bed. I gave her some towels. Again, AAOx3, capable man. He was discharged to boot. Ambulated out of the ER.

I don't mind helping pts or cleaning pts who can't help themselves. But a grown man whose wife clearly waits on him hand and foot? No way. I did take care of my total care dementia pt, my MSer whose mind was intact but whose body had betrayed her, my resp failure trach pt who needed immediate suctioning. Bad nurse, taking care of the helpless and not the spoiled.

We recently had a wife who ran out of the room to the desk everytime the monitor beeped. Nurse explained to her we were watching the monitor from the desk. She then wanted her adult son to sit at the desk and watch the monitor.

These incidents were just in the past week. I'm starting a 4 day run today. Luckily, we have great security and they are there to clear out problem family members.

Happy Memorial Day weekend!

sharksgal · May 25, 2008

debanam--I can totally relate I was called to respond to a patient complaint...22 y/o M was MAD b/c I gave him a towel and had him clean his own feet!! Are you kidding me....to the office for that????

Tonaight:

Triaged a 38 yo F (that looked 58) for abd pain, the smell of stale cigarettes filled the air. She coughed several times during triage and at the end stated, "Yeah and I've had this cough on and off for a few years...I'm not sure what it is....I think I may have a sinus problem."

I just smiled and said....yeah I bet that's it!

DebanamRN, MSN, RN · May 25, 2008

Thank goodness I've never been called into the office for any of this stuff. I'd probably get suspended for my response!

Last night we had a pt with a group of family members w/the curtain pulled. I went in to medicate her and found them having a picnic with chinese food! I just gave the med, pulled the curtain and walked away shaking my head.

Another pt's family was obsessed w/getting the pt a pillow. Of course, being the weekend and being lucky to get the trash emptied, there were none in the dept. The nagged me about it every few minutes. I even made her a pillow (pillowcase stuffed w/towels) and sent the pt rep in search of pillows. Still got the heebie-jeebies from the family.

The RNs were swamped, the tech kept disappearing, I was going nuts, and I'm not going to worry about a pillow. Sorry, my septic pt, my PE pt, grandpa who was trying to get out of bed got my attention.

And that was just last night!