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8 Things You Should Never Say to a Patient
Nina Kim, Georgia Price | NursingLink
August 05, 2009
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.
metot
almost 4 years ago
2308 comments
Thanks for the tips:)
Roukaya
almost 4 years ago
8 comments
:D Thanx, great tips.
Daisybelle
almost 4 years ago
2872 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
almost 4 years ago
62 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
almost 4 years ago
922 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
almost 4 years ago
24 comments
I love nursing,what about you?
Account Removed
almost 4 years ago
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)
merrywhiterose
almost 4 years ago
4 comments
How about:
"What the heck is that?"
"Hey, (name of another nurse) come look at this!"
To a very obese pt. "are you hiding anything between those (flaps of skin)?"
jsilvoy
almost 4 years ago
12 comments
Let's make a more complete list of what should not be said to patients:
1. You sure don't sweat much for a fat guy (woman)!
2. What are those gross-looking things all over your face?
3. . . .
lucyjabell
almost 4 years ago
12 comments
I was a patient having a barium swallow test. In the middle of it the technician keeps saying after she took some x-rays "THAT'S NOT RIGHT!!" Mind you I'm in the other room freaking out about now. It turns out that her computer wasn't working right...
Business2CNA2RN
almost 4 years ago
40 comments
Okay i will remember this lol