5 Things that Patients Usually Lied On to Nurses
Many nurses will surely agree that most, if not all, of our patients do lie on what they tell us. This is true especially when we asked them about how and what they are feeling for us to assist them.
Here is a list of some of the common things our patients lie to us:
The level of pain. Nurses will hear all excuses, complaints and begging on why they should give the patient the insta-pain-away med. But nah-ah, we nurses should not give in right away. We should be wary of when the patient is such a drama king/queen, and when it’s time to up the morphine.
Their medical background. Yes, patients do keep to themselves any medical history they have, thinking it is not relevant to the assessment needed before any treatment. Some patients think that digging in to their medical background is like invading their personal life.
What really happened. Nurses and doctors will always ask the patient how they got the injury and what had happened. But of course, patients don’t always tell the truth. Some patients do make a creative story on how they got that broken arm or such illness not knowing that the information would be vital for attending to them.
The vice they can’t remove. Bad habits are hard to break and to admit. Patients will lie just to cover up the mess they’re into as a result of their vice -drugs, alcohol drinking, smoking, etc. We nurses must imply that whatever and no matter how bad that habits are, they should tell us.
The meds they’ve forgot to take. Most patients would lie to nurses about whether they’re taking their meds as ordered or not. Sick people and the older ones are always forgetful about the different medicines they need to take on different time of the day. Lying about these information will affect how nurses and doctors make medical decisions.
What information patients don’t tell to nurses and doctors will result to more expensive test, procedures and misdiagnosis for the medication. Nurses should be careful when to believe such lies from patients who are shy to tell their mistakes and misbehaviors resulting to injuries and illnesses, which is the main reason why they are in the hospital.
Published at: 04/08/2015
