What do patients say that irks you?

amblessing · Jun 15, 2005

I love it when you go into a patient's room to start an IV or some other procedure, and the patient's family asks, "do you know what you are doing?" I am so tempted to say, "well sort of, you see they were short staffed tonight, so they just yanked me off of the street corner - hey I clean-up pretty nicely don't I? I love the scrubs!". Or, my personal fave "No, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night!". Geeezzz :rotfl:

z's playa · Jun 16, 2005

I love it when you go into a patient's room to start an IV or some other procedure, and the patient's family asks, "do you know what you are doing?" I am so tempted to say, "well sort of, you see they were short staffed tonight, so they just yanked me off of the street corner - hey I clean-up pretty nicely don't I? I love the scrubs!". Or, my personal fave "No, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night!". Geeezzz :rotfl:

:rotfl: :rotfl:

Z

badgernurse · Jun 16, 2005

"They are going to have to take the baby"
I don't know why but that statement makes my jaw clench up everytime I hear it.
I had a patient the other day ask me how I was going to insert a foley since "the head is down there, wont that hurt the baby?" For the love god, people .... come on .. 2 HOLES! SERIOUSLY!
and my favorite of all time ...
"Does that machine beep everytime I dilate?" .. this one left me speechless
Please share your "omg, no she didn't say/ask that" quotes

When I read your post, I went right back to 1990 when my son was born and my BP is through the roof right now. My then husband in the room with me was on the phone with his mother telling her they had to "take the baby". Now, I was induced and had about a 40 hour labor. When I finally was dilated, I had to push for 2 hours in every position imagineable. This phrase makes me NUTS. It sounds as if I did nothing, I was a failure and the staff had to do all the work of "taking" the baby. What the heck is that supposed to mean anyhow? Sheesh!

asher315 · Jun 16, 2005

I hate it when everyone (mothers, fathers, family members, housekeeping, etc..) tells how "I'm hurting" the baby by giving shots, drawing blood, doing blood pressures and so on. I'm making the poor baby cry.

"Ok, I'll won't draw the blood and when your baby's not responding due to a glucose below 20, he/she won't be crying then." I wouldn't say it but I think it.

Same with older kids.

Yes, I live to give innocents pain.

sherry t

NurseforPreggers · Jun 16, 2005

I cannot stand it when patient come in and throw a complete temper tantrum over having their IV started. I know people can be deathly afraid of needles but I always want to say : "If you think this is going to be the most painful part of your day, you have another thing coming. Just wait til you get the 8 inch long needle in your back later, or how about the 7-8 lb kid thats going to come out of your nether regions."

911fltrn · Jun 16, 2005

removed this post as i didnt realize this is under ob forum

MS._Jen_RN, ASN, RN · Jun 16, 2005

"Well, I didn't want to bother anyone . . . " After not calling for assistance, falling, hitting head (etc.) and having to be lifted off the floor.

~Jen

nurturing_angel · Jun 16, 2005

I absolutely hate when adults have unruly children visiting with them and when I come near they start saying things like "you better behave or that nurse will give you a shot!" No wonder kids are afraid of us!!!!!!!

Vickie

aileenve, ASN, RN · Jun 16, 2005

:uhoh3: :uhoh3:

"They are going to have to take the baby"
I don't know why but that statement makes my jaw clench up everytime I hear it.
I had a patient the other day ask me how I was going to insert a foley since "the head is down there, wont that hurt the baby?" For the love god, people .... come on .. 2 HOLES! SERIOUSLY!
and my favorite of all time ...
"Does that machine beep everytime I dilate?" .. this one left me speechless
Please share your "omg, no she didn't say/ask that" quotes

Like today, "Nurse, what time is my father going for surgery? If its in a couple hours can I go and get him a snack?" His father is a diabetic who had a BKA! This thirty-something son called me to the room several times to ask when, how long and why couldn't his father eat, after all he IS a diabetic! The father was just as angry because I could not tell him when he would be sent to the OR

lady_jezebel · Jun 16, 2005

"are you going to go on for your MD?"

jessnurse05 · Jun 16, 2005

"are you going to go on for your MD?"

This was from my grandmother. I just graduated on June 10th with my ADN. I talked to my grandmother over the phone and she says, "It took you that long just to get your ADN, why didn't you get your BSN? You can do so much more with a bachelor's degree." She really hurt my feelings!

My dad is always asking me if I'm going back to school to get my MD and I always say no way! I would never want to be an MD!

Jessica

mariedoreen · Jun 16, 2005

Awwww....don't be a buzz kill. :chuckle
Its good to get things off your chest and this is supposed to be the place to do it. I'm sure everyone's aware of your point already. :)
Z

:) I understand exactly what you're saying and most of the time I'm the first to say let people get things off their chest in peace, so I'm trying to decide what it is that has rubbed me the wrong way about this post... It's funny tho, I felt the same way when I was in the OR observing nursing staff disparaging their unconscious patient... I guess I'm just able to put myself in the shoes of the patients she is describing and can imagine just how humiliated I would feel for placing trust in this nurse by exposing my ignorance and then finding out that instead of compassionate interest in helping me to learn more about my situation she's feeling superior and ridiculing my lack of understanding. Again, I agree my feelings are probably over the top here and I'm really not sure why I'm taking it the way I am... I'll have to think on this some more. In the meantime, carry on...

I'll help, I've got one you all will LOVE. When I was 18 I worked in a path lab. The first time I saw a uterus from a TAH I thought the woman would no longer be able to have sex... thank the Lord I never actually exposed my ignorance and asked for clarification on that one, they would have had a field day in the break room I'm sure. Instead I went to the library and looked through a couple of books and learned more about female anatomy on my own.

So I guess it's all a lie, there really are stupid questions aren't there?

Good to know...