8 Things You Should Never Say to a Patient

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8 Things You Should Never Say to a Patient

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You don’t get to choose your patients. So your relationship with them can range anywhere from “match made in heaven” to “your worst nightmare.”

Any appointment can be a potentially difficult situation, mainly because when patients come to see you, they’re probably already anxious. They may be concerned about what’s ailing them, be uncomfortable with the sterile atmosphere, or have a general distrust of medical practitioners.

Regardless, proper patient care requires utmost clinical professionalism and good communication.

But “good communication” doesn’t necessarily mean “tell all.” While transparency is important, there are certainly things nurses should never say to their patients. Ever.

To help you keep your patients at ease, NursingLink came up with 8 things you should never say to them. We’ll also offer suggestions for what to say instead.

Next Page: #1 “This won’t hurt at all.” >>

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mjohnson

2 months ago

18 comments

I have found that honesty is the best policy. Every one has their own level of pain tolerance so never promise something that you are not 100% sure you can deliver on.
aidah

2 months ago

2 comments

you know what you are absoulutely rightb but i here it all the time, no bed side maner.

SLPN Gwen
leng

3 months ago

9510 comments

some of them fall on therapeutic communication, still just needing some common sense=)
aspiringnurse

3 months ago

10 comments

Great tips. Thanks a lot
BimzRN

3 months ago

2 comments

This is great tips... I will always remember to NEVER Say those things to my patient... I enjoy this tips.
rantiegwim

3 months ago

6 comments

If finding your patient's record is taking time... what do you do? Do you go ahead with the procedure without it ??
rantiegwim

3 months ago

6 comments

Its a good reminder to nurses.
CherylF

3 months ago

214 comments

All good advice and all things we should have learned at the beginning of nursing school but sometimes forget
metot

3 months ago

198 comments

Thanks for the tips:)
Roukaya

3 months ago

8 comments

:D Thanx, great tips.
Daisybelle

3 months ago

136 comments

This 8 things you should never tell to the patient is good for the patient because you have a respect and sympathy to them inorder to gain trust.
WeekendWarriorATL

3 months ago

64 comments

Unless you are absolutely sure, never ask a female if they are pregnant. I have certainly been guilty of "Would you look at that", but then I would make a terrible poker player.
ninelives

3 months ago

2 comments

"Eight things you should never say to a patient....."
8)"You're gonna EAT THAT?THAT LOOKS GROSS!"( When pureed food is served).
7)"You're NOT in pain...you're just LOOKING FOR MORE DRUGS!"(Pt with FX -hip).
6)"So when you die,are you gonna COME BACK TO HAUNT ME?"( Said to Hospice Patient).
5)"He/She loves that call bell SOOO MUCH, they're gonna CLOCK ME ONE when
I least expect it"( Quoted about a demanding resident).
4)"Do I need to notify the census bureau about all of the cooties you have living
under those clothes?"( Said to patient,prior to shower being given).
3)"If I administer care to a resistive patient, do I recieve COMBAT PAY?"( Night-shift staff).
2)"If you fall ONE MORE TIME out of that chair,YOUR FAMILY WILL BE PISSED @ YOU!"
(Quoted about an impulsive patient / high-risk)....And..........
1)"They're DEAD! So,why are you still TALKING TO THEM?!"( Quoted when a patient expires).

**Shocking,but TRUE ACCOUNTS".
Owati

3 months ago

24 comments

I love nursing,what about you?
BM3

3 months ago

8 comments

Wow, I am surprised most of these would ever escape a Nurse's or Doctor's lips!! I have heard some that make me cringe (and sometimes make me furious):

1 - "Oh, stop being silly" (to a child)
2- "You're very lucky you're able to get treatment you know" (to a cancer patient who fought to get a more expensive treatment).
3- (angrily) "I can't find your cervix, I can't find your cervix" followed by "Well, there is rather a lot of fat to get through" (to a robust woman having a smear who said "ouch" when the Doctor was pressing on her abdomen)