55 Surprising Patient Habits That Actually Make Care Harder for Doctors and Nurses
Number 2: Please, if your child is in feeding therapy, and we tell you to send in foods your child doesn’t like alongside foods they do; stop sending ONLY foods they like! In a similar vein, send foods that THEY are curious about, or food that looks appetizing.
I cannot effective get your child curious about food they don’t like the look of! Sending in cooked chicken that has visible gristle, bloody bits, and is *grey* is a recipe for your child continuing to question it.
Number 3: Have concerns. Please. For the love of God. If your child is *clearly* delayed or experiencing a disorder in Speech or Language ACKNOWLEDGE IT!! You are not helping your child by putting them in therapy but refusing a full diagnosis. Nor are you helping by not carrying over treatment at home hoping it goes away.
If your child sees a Speech Pathologist, it’s because they medically qualify for a concern that is affecting their development in some way. Please, please, just acknowledge it. I know it’s scary, I know it’s hard; I know it feels like the floor is going to drop out from under you. But your child *deserves* parents who have those concerns and are actively trying to help them recover or resolve their delays.
Patient currently OD’ing “I didn’t take anything”. Now is not the time to lie to me.
This one seems silly, but when I go to scan your wristband, just leave your arm where it is. I can see the barcode, moving the target doesn’t help. OTOH, if I need to put your BP cuff back on, please do lift your arm up and away from your body so I can wrap it around without having to wrestle with a limp arm while trying to line everything up.
Making changes to their medication plan. Like, I prescribed you that for a reason. If you are having side effects or something, talk to me rather than just doing your own thing and hoping it’s ok. I had someone crushing tablets that shouldn’t be crushed then dissolving it in a cup of coffee to drink.
Trying to bully the doctors and nurses into giving “better care” for their family member via being confrontational and aggressive. It usually makes it harder to provide care not easier.
Shave before surgery. Don’t worry about your hair. We’ll shave what we need. But DO clean your bellybutton.
Aspirin 81mg daily. Do not take if you have not been told to do so for an event. The events can be stents, heart attacks or strokes to name only the top three. Do not take because ‘it’s good for my Mother, and I think it would be good to start. This causes headaches all around if you now need surgery for an elective type surgery.
Stop watching Fox News. Can’t tell you how many patients I’ve had that listened to bad health advice on Fox News that think that they are going to come in and teach me how to do my job. I have a degree in my field. Fox News does not.
Not stopping certain medications in time for their surgery day; think blood thinners, GLP1s, certain blood pressure meds and diabetes meds. I provide anesthesia, so now I have to keep a tighter leash on their vitals during their surgery because:
-some standard anesthesia meds will further lower their bp and HR.
-some surgeries will have to get cancelled because they did not stop their blood thinners in time, and if it’s an invasive procedure like spine surgery, ortho etc, risk of increased bleeding is not worth ignoring this red flag.
-not stopping GLP1s 1-2 weeks before surgery puts them at higher risk of aspiration (vomiting, possibly into their lungs) under anesthesia. So, my choice of airway protection goes from possibly an LMA to more likely a tube (especially if they also have reflux and DM).
-recreational d**g use also affects anesthetic choice considerations, especially if it’s been partaken really close to surgery day. Even smoking cigs makes your airway more reactive (sensitive) and increases your risk of laryngospasm, especially when we’re putting you under anesthesia (induction) and waking you up (emergence).
Gotta have a backup for your backup plan, for things that are preventable.
When they go down rabbit holes. Some people just word vomit and it takes 20 minutes to get 2 minutes of useful information. Sometimes it’s just more efficient to answer specific questions than to give me a full narrative beginning with what you ate for breakfast 8 weeks ago.
“Tell me more about why you came to the ER today”
“Well, 45 years ago…”
Please start with the most relevant details up front, we can work back from there if need be.
I worked with Doctors in public health. All of them hated patients saying “I have a high tolerance for pain.” It’s the doctor’s job to get rid of the pain.
Taking 2 days worth of antibiotics before you come in with an infection.
Exaggerating pain levels, saying your pain is a 10/10 when you are calmly sitting there, having a snack and checking your phone. Please try and accurately rate your pain. 10/10 is we need to admit you pronto.
RIVER OF GOODS LED Boho Ceiling Fan with Hand Woven Brown/Natural Rope - Macrame Knot Work and Hemp Rope Style Eclectic Cottage Decor - 52" L x 52" W - Rich Barnwood/Light Driftwood Fan Blades
(as of March 3, 2026 16:43 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
KiddyCare Diaper Caddy Organizer for Baby Nursery Basket with Handle Lid Nursing Caddy with Changing Table Organizer Cart Newborn Caddy Rosy (Floral Print) X-Large
$16.50 (as of March 3, 2026 16:43 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Joking Hazard Enlarged Box Empty Box for Card Storage
$12.00 (as of March 3, 2026 16:43 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Rhythm Superfoods Beet Chips Organic and Non GMO Vegan Gluten Free Snacks, Naked, 1.4 Ounce (Pack of 4)
(as of March 3, 2026 16:43 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Post Comment