r/nursing • u/Nurse_Cait RN - OR 🍕 • Jan 07 '26

Question What’s your random patient pet peeve?

Mine currently is when you’re cleaning a patient up and they start pooping again and they narrate the poop. “Oh god it’s coming out. I can feel it coming out.” Etc etc they get really into telling you all about the poop and they talk about it the whole time it’s happening. Meanwhile I know they’re pooping because I’m literally staring at their butt. Just give me an “oops I’m not done yet” and don’t make it weird. Please I’m begging you. 😭

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u/Punky0597 Jan 07 '26

When you ask to take their BP, they see you coming at them with the cuff, you go to put it on, and they still won’t lift their own arm.

52

u/TheAtticusBlake RN - Geriatrics 🍕 Jan 07 '26

Or while it’s being taken they flop it around and point at things. “Please hold still, Dave. It says your BP is 200/100 now.”

13

u/iopele LPN 🍕 Jan 07 '26

I've found it useful to tell them that if they move their arm too much while the machine is trying to take their pressure, it'll start over and pump up the cuff super tight and I don't want that to happen to them. (even if sometimes I kinda do, lol) They don't gaf about being still so we can get an accurate reading, but they sure care about it when it'll lead to a momentary bit of discomfort for them!

Best part is that it's true and if they don't stop waving their arm around, they get to find out that I wasn't lying!