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8 Things You Should Never Say to a Patient
Nina Kim, Georgia Price | NursingLink
August 05, 2009
8. “I doubt it’s anything serious.”
Instead of trying to comfort a patient by brushing off their fears, be honest about their diagnosis and the amazing level of care they will receive in your facility.
Sound Off!: What Would You Never Say to a Patient?
beth8115
over 2 years ago
2 comments
Yeah, it could always be worse. I had the worst when I had AF back in January in Vanderbilt University Hospital with a pulse of 250. I had to be defibrillated 3X and was unconscious for 2 weeks, but I never heard this comment.
kd_aman
over 2 years ago
72 comments
"I doubt it's anything serious." I've heard that one before at work lots of times....I think even from Dr's!!!
umapathy
over 2 years ago
180 comments
the instinct can raise anything but professionalism should work at there
crash_n_bang99
almost 3 years ago
2 comments
You always have a better perspective if you have unfortunately been a patient yourself..... When you are told in school to put yourself in the patients position, I think it is impossible for some people unless if they have experienced it
cxg174
almost 3 years ago
50 comments
Unfortunately I think sometimes patients need to know thay you are not ignoring them but are actually very busy. I think it should be said in a nicer way though, such as "I am sorry it is taking so long, we have not forgotten you, we are just very busy at the moment and we will be there as soon as possible" or something like that.
harleyone
almost 3 years ago
10 comments
And may I add one that drives me crazy. When Nurses are speaking to a pt why do they say "I need you to...."? Isn't the treatment about the pt? It's not about what I want/need/think etc. Just for perspective I'm an old ER RN. What I ask pt when giving an injection for example, "I have your pain medication, it goes in your butt/hip/right there (whatever is appropriate for pt understanding), which side do you want to roll onto or do you want to stand?"
ebradd
almost 3 years ago
18 comments
that would scare me
mjohnson
over 3 years 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
over 3 years ago
2 comments
you know what you are absoulutely rightb but i here it all the time, no bed side maner.
SLPN Gwen
leng
almost 4 years ago
10176 comments
some of them fall on therapeutic communication, still just needing some common sense=)
aspiringnurse
almost 4 years ago
10 comments
Great tips. Thanks a lot
BimzRN
almost 4 years ago
2 comments
This is great tips... I will always remember to NEVER Say those things to my patient... I enjoy this tips.
rantiegwim
almost 4 years 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
almost 4 years ago
6 comments
Its a good reminder to nurses.
CherylF
almost 4 years ago
236 comments
All good advice and all things we should have learned at the beginning of nursing school but sometimes forget