When patients aren’t funny

There are always patients who try and have a funny comeback for every question that you ask them.

Often after delivering the supposed ‘witty and amusing retort’, they look at you as if they were the first person ever to come up with such an amazing line. The problem is, we hear these lines just about every single day!

What am I talking about? Some examples:

Nurse: “Are you allergic to anything?”

Patient:

• “Only women!”
• “I’m allergic to needles!”
• “Hospitals!
• “Hard work!
• “Doctors!”

It probably wouldn’t matter hearing this kind of thing once in a while, but day after day… shift after shift… when you’ve worked hours and hours straight without a break…. not so funny any more!

Don’t get me wrong – I’m well aware of the need to lighten up some tough situations, but c’mon people! Get some new material!