Where are you?

Published

Specializes in Burn/Trauma ED.

Yesterday I got the best answer yet to the "Can you tell me where you are?" part of the A&O check. This was an 80+ y/o Pt c/ Alzheimer's and Dementia.

She had no trouble with her name, but when I asked her what year it was she just said "I have no idea."

I then asked her, "OK Mrs. [Jones], can you tell me where you are?"

She looks at me, looks at herself, and then looks back at me with an expression that unmistakably said "Man, this kid must be stupid or something."

Then she looks me straight in the eye and, as serious as can be, says "Well, I'm in bed honey!"

Wuddaya think A&O x 2? :rotfl:

This lady was the sweetest woman on planet earth. Always incredibly thankful of everything anyone did for her. Even remembered to bless her food before eating. (And we all know hospital food might not always be worthy of divine thanks.) May we all still have that level of hootzpah at her age!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The difference between senility and crazy is that senile people know they are senile (forgetful).Crazy people dont have a clue. You gotta love/respect old people. Anyone who can live that long deserves respect.!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Inpatient Acute Rehab.

Gotta love those sweet little Alzheimer's ladies!!!!!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Rodeo Nursing (Neuro).

I had a gentleman in clinicals first semester who was A&Ox2 (person and place), so I put a battery in his clock and he was A&0x3. Charted it as a nursing intervention, too, by golly.

I had been told in report he had been hallucinating, too, so I had to check whether the hallucinations were bugs in his room, since I could see them, too. At least 2 dozen yellow ladybugs on his ceiling, mostly around the light. Other students saw them, too.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg.

LOL. Or how about when they answer "well I'm right here, of course!". Duh. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
The difference between senility and crazy is that senile people know they are senile (forgetful).Crazy people dont have a clue. You gotta love/respect old people. Anyone who can live that long deserves respect.!!

Crazy people dont have a clue. Not always true!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

that's true zenman....there's always those lightbulb moments, no matter how advanced the disease.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Had a lady on Wednesday morning continually tell me it was Sunday. Was getting a little concerned as she insisted it was Sunday. Finally asked me to change the calendar on the wall from Sunday to Wednesday.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

in the same ball park, i was asking a patient who had recently been admitted what brought her to the nursing home. without missing a beat, she hissed, "my daughter!" :imbar

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Anesthesia.

The best answer I've gotten for the "can you tell me where you are" question had to be from this lady who had been on the ICU with us for weeks, and was so tired of the whole ICU environment. When I asked her that question, she said, "Yes....I'm in HELL." Too funny.....

Up Vote Up Vote ×

A slight twist.

Had a 83 y/o male in ICU ask me if I could recommend a cardiologist. Knowing that I could not tell him who I would use, I gave him the list of who was available.

The pt saw a name and asked me about Dr. I told the pt that this was a good Dr but did not have much of a bedside manor.

The pt looked at me, grinned and said "Son, if I wanted bedside manor I would hire a prostitute. I want someone to fix my heart."

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Then there was the little "confused" psych patient who wanted her private plane and pilot to come pick her up...and they did! :rotfl:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion