What is the toughest question you have ever been asked by a patient?

[Zilijn]

Hi! I am a nursing student and I think consistently about how to word answers to questions patients may have and it led me to wonder what are some questions patients have asked you and how did you word it? or how do you wish you would have worded it?

[RN403, BSN, RN]

Is there a specific question that a patient asked you that you did not know how to answer?

Anytime a patient or visitor asks me "what I would do..." I find it difficult to answer.

[loriangel14, RN]

Toughest question? When will I die?

[Glycerine82, LPN]

Toughest question? When will I die?

Was just going to say, "Am I going to die"? Is a pretty tough on to hear and to answer.

[loriangel14, RN]

I also get " how long is this going to take?" ( dying that is)

[lidleanjel]

"When am I going to die" is a very tough question. Any more I honestly say " I dont have an answer because an expiration date was never placed on your rear" . Yes it is probably not the best response but every patient will look at me like I am crazy and say " I guess you are right" . My coworkers get a kick out of it all the time because of how bluntly honest I am with the patients. I am sure some of the acceptance has to do with working with veterans too.

[Farawyn]

"Am I going to die?" is the toughest. So is, "Will I be in pain?"

My answer varies depending on the situation and my rapport with the patient.

Another question I get is about whether a doctor is good or not. If they aren't, yikes!

I have a very readable face, so no bluffing even if I wanted to.

I usually say, "What do YOU like about your doctor?"

[CardiacKittyRN]

I find it hard when family members say things like "grandma/mama/joe bob/whoever is looking so much better" or "look she's moving her feet today" or just really anything positive when in reality you know this pt is slowly but surely declining or possibly will never recover.. And then it's especially difficult when they turn to me and ask what I think? Aren't they improving? Do you think they'll be better soon? Those are tough.. Especially when the answer is no.

Also, when we address code status on those who are doing poorly and really need to probably be DNR. I hate being asked what I would do and do I really think the pts prognosis is that poor..

[coughdrop.2.go, BSN, RN]

This doesn't involve acute care, but I did have a question where my student in high school as a question that I didn't really have an answer for: "How do you fix a broken heart? Will it ever stop hurting?". It was obvious she was very emotional and trying to fight back tears. All I could tell her was to live your life. Time is the only medicine. Honestly, to a certain point, is the best and hardest thing you can do for a patient. Patients ask serious questions and they deserve a serious response, and not one filled with fully clouds and rainbows. Circumstances vary and it's all about your rapport with the patient, the situation, and the patient's readiness to accept certain truths.

[j0yegan]

"How long will my discharge take?"

[Ruas61, BSN, RN]

"Why me?" or "What did I do to cause/deserve/make this happen?"

[klone, MSN, RN]

Should I have an abortion? (inside, I was thinking "Sweetie, it's probably the best thing you can do in this situation" but out loud all I could do was say that it could only be her decision)