55 Surprising Patient Habits That Actually Make Care Harder for Doctors and Nurses
Ever wondered what it’s like to be a fly on the hospital wall during a patient assessment? Picture this: a doctor’s trying to get the scoop straight from the patient, but suddenly, the family jumps in, answering questions like they’re Cleopatra’s royal court. Does that really help? Spoiler alert: not much. It turns out that these well-meaning interruptions can throw off the delicate dance of diagnosing and understanding what’s really going on with the patient. And on the flip side, sometimes the patient is there, sharp as a tack, yet the docs ignore them completely and do a full-on family Q&A. Talk about mixed signals! Dive into the quirks and unexpected hurdles medical professionals face daily, as shared by those in the trenches themselves. Ready to see the hospital scene from a whole new (and hilarious) angle? LEARN MORE
When I try to assess my patient and the family members won’t stop answering
Edit: I don’t want to keep replying individual – I’m talking about, for example, if I’m trying to ask questions to a patient in an acute care ward of a hospital to assess their neurologic status – I don’t want anyone else but the patient to answer. Or if I go into the room and mention something that happened overnight to the patient to start a conversation where they can try to tell me what happened, and a family speaks first, it doesn’t help me assess the patients orientation, memory, cognition, speech pattern, gaze, affect, what their perception is, their understanding, where I need to educate, etc. I’m asking questions for many reasons other than what it seems. If I finish asking the patient and they’re a poor historian, we will PAY family to assist (jk but I wish, caregivers are saints). We love family, we love family collaboration.
someonebesidesme:
We had the opposite problem. Our mother lived to be 96, and during the last several years of her life, the doctors would ignore her, and ask us questions about her — even as she was sitting RIGHT THERE. We consistently had to tell them that she was the patient, and they needed to discuss her issues with her. She was sharp and alert right up to the end — could rattle off all her medications, dosages, side effects, etc., but the doctors would still try to engage us instead.
Ophthalmologist here. Sometimes family members will help give the correct answers on the eye chart, especially when the patient is their child.
Me: What letters can you read on the chart?
Child struggles.
Parent whispers: It’s OFLCT.
Me (not out loud): Huh??
Shoddy_Signature_149:
I saw that a LOT while evaluating for concussion and clearance to return to sports. “You know, I already figure your brain is working OK. I need to check on theirs, though.”
Joking around when I am trying to ask straight forward admission questions. I know you want to be funny, but these are important and I don’t want to miss anything. I also don’t have the time to drag answers out of you. So if I ask, “Have you fallen recently?” and you say, “I think I’m falling in love with you” or if I ask, “have you had any thoughts of harming others?” and you joke “well I sure want to” just know that you are making my day infinitely harder. PLEASE just be an adult and say yes or no.
Eshlau:
Years ago we all had to tell my 90+ year old grandma that she needed to stop joking when asked questions like “do you feel safe at home” when she would go to the doctor. On more than one occasion she thought it would be funny to say that her adult sons beat her when they’re angry. Thankfully the nurses were understanding, and my grandma was usually chuckling or winking when she was saying it.
Her sense of humor was pretty impressive. My grandpa passed away from cancer on their 66th wedding anniversary, and when a nurse heard about that day being their anniversary and said that she was so sorry, my grandma said, “it’s ok, I think he probably did it on purpose to get out of taking me to dinner!”
Coming to the nursing station instead of using the call light. Family members standing in the hallway staring at you instead of using the call light.
Also adding: this post isn’t about UNANSWERED call lights. This is about just not using the light at all. Everyone and their mother has a story about their call light going unanswered, myself included. This is about the family that stops me mid med pass in the hall to ask to fix the sink dripping. Use the light and the unit clerk can page engineering. .
icouldbeeatingoreos:
I tried to give someone a hint last week by politely saying oh hello family member standing in front of my workstation, I have to go answer this call bell but once I’m finished I can come back and speak with you. They did in fact disappear back into the room.
I don’t love being summoned with a bell but I like it more than someone coming up directly to where I’m trying to chart and staring at me until I look up and then them going “oh you’re not busy ok can I…”. My love I am very busy it’s just all on computers now.
The Door Balancer Eliminates The Need for Door Props, Door Stops and Door Wedges
$7.99 (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.)
RIVER OF GOODS Mid-Century Modern Transitional LED Bronze Chrome Ceiling Fan - 52" L x 52" W - Rich Barnwood/Light Driftwood Fan Blades - Metallic Ceiling Fan with Light and Fabric Shade
(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.)
RIVER OF GOODS Stained Glass Bird Accent Lamp - 8" W x 13.5" H - Tiffany Style Table Lamps for Home, Office Desk, Bedroom, Nightstand - Blue Jay Decor
(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.)
Supa Ant 6x8ft. Welding Blanket Fireproof (Pack of 2) - Heavy Duty Weld Fire Blanket Tools - Welders Cover for Men Curtain with Gloves - Large Welding Gear for Welder Accessories
(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