When you overhear...

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When you overhear someone discussing "medical things", and they say something you know is wrong, do you correct them? Not friends or family here. Like, if you are at a store and hear someone say something, or, like happens so often, if you are in a pts room and the visitors are talking as if you weren't in the room, and they say something that is blatantly wrong (like "I take lasix for my cholesterol"), do you say anything, or just let it go? I'm not talking about anything that would involve the patient - or anything that would be dangerous. Just people who think they know what they are talking about, but dont. :nurse:

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Specializes in Med/Surge, Psych, LTC, Home Health.

Hmmmm, interesting question. I personally would be inclined to just keep my mouth shut, especially if it's not my patient or my family member. It's not my duty to make sure every Joe Blow on the street knows what all of their meds are for. It's the duty of their doctor to educate them about the meds that they are prescribing, and it's the duty of the patient to educate themselves about their meds.

Now, if it were my patient, I might print up a fact sheet about the medication and hand it to them to read, or read it to them, or have the pharmacist come and speak to them.

If it were my family member, I would say "Um mom, I think lasix is for getting rid of all that water around your ankles." :)

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Blatantly wrong but not dangerously wrong? As if you weren't in the room?

I searched for the origin of a quote which says you can ask yourself before you speak, "Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?". Nothing definite but instead I found someone who was quoting Mark Twain that a dog has a lot of friends because he wags his tail and not his tongue.

So I'd say no comment.

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Blatantly wrong but not dangerously wrong? As if you weren't in the room?

Sure. Like "Vitamin C makes your chest hair grow in ringlets". Wrong? I believe so. Dangerous? I doubt it.

You've never had people talk as if you weren't there? What really gets me is that they talk about me like I can't hear them. "What's she doing? Why did she do that?", etc.

For the record, I usually don't say anything either. If they act like I'm not there, I assume they aren't asking for my opinion!

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Specializes in Geriatrics, med/surg, LTC surveyor.

It depends on the situation. If it is the patient who is saying this I would sit down with her and explain to her what her meds were for. If it is a family member who administers her meds, again I would say something.

If it were just people visiting and they weren't talking to me. I wouldn't say anything.

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If patients/family are asking questions to one another about what you are doing, take this as an opportunity to do some teaching. Patient education is the key to keeping them informed on what you are doing and why...

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I already have enough on my plate, I don't have the time or energy to try to cure every case of stupidity in this world.

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That happened to me yesterday at Rite Aid. Two women behind me were discussing something and had it wrong and I wanted to turn around and butt in but I didn't. :D

steph

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

If they are having a conversation, and both seem confused, like say one says "I take lasix, but I'm not sure why. Maybe for my cholesterol, but who knows", then I might just do a little patient education. Only if I am close enough not to have to talk loudly (don't want to look like a know-it-all to everyone). But, if they state a "fact", then no, I wouldn't. Generally if they state a fact, they are sure, and would just argue and think you were a dummy anyone.

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Specializes in Cardiac, Acute/Subacute Rehab.

Hi, all! Long time, no see!

I didn't interject my knowledge, but I did use my knowledge to prevent potential disaster.

I was walking through Target looking for my hubby and had to walk near the pharmacy. I heard the couple standing at the pharmacy counter discussing the new water pill that was prescribed - "Spirit Lactone," as they put it.

I'm walking by and hear the pharmacy tech tell the man, "Be sure to take a potassium supplement while you're on this."

:no::no::no::no::no::no::no::no::no::no::no:!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I stopped in my tracks, whipped my head around, walked to the counter and asked the couple to please wait while the tech confirmed that with the pharmacist. The pharmacist about flipped when he was asked if a patient taking spironolactone should have K+ supplements!!!!

I was proud of myself...didn't "tell it like it is" and was tactful so that the tech was not humiliated by a stranger....BUT, I saved potential disaster. Most of the time, I keep my mouth shut, though.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

If it is a casual situation, such as a supermarket, movie theater, etc, where these people are interacting amongst themselves, I would not intervene, because it is not my business. It is the same as someone walking over to me and saying "You put too much sugar in your coffee, or why do you smoke?" None of your concern...I would say to them. I already have seen enough arguments in a day from co-workers and patients, and am too drained to get into things not meant for me.

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Specializes in Advanced Practice, surgery.

I wouldn't usually say anything although I may have a little chuckle if it's a bit of a funny one.

On my stay in hospital the elderly lady in the bed next door insisted on keeping the window open despite the fact it was -1 outside. We were all freezing but the other pateints wouldn't dream of asking her to shut it, when she went to the loo they told me it was because she needed more oxygen because of her chest complaint, and to save the hospital oxygen she prefered just to open the window.

Hmmm 21% in here, 21% out there.

I smiled sweetly and asked for another blanket :D

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