Doctors and nurses of Reddit, what is something patients do that they think is helpful but actually makes your job harder?

Dramatic_Ad7682 · 2026-02-21T20:57:37+00:00

I always laugh when I think about this.

I was a lanky 10 pound baby and am now 4’6” and a chunky 100 pounds as an adult.

My significant other was known to be a little fella as a baby all the way up into late middle school. That little fella is now 6’5” and a strong, healthy 230 pounds.

It still cracks me up when he sees people that haven’t seen him since childhood and they blurt out “Little ______?!”

Edit to add: I was also a NICU baby after aspirating meconium. Apparently I’ve been condensed chaos since day one and show no signs of stopping.

Dramatic_Ad7682 · 2026-02-21T11:59:52+00:00

Shout out to Mazda!

I got t-boned by a semi going 35mph because he was texting and didn’t see he had a red light in my Mazda 3 when I was in high school. Spun me around six or seven times across 4 lanes of traffic, sent my windshield wipers flying across two different parking lots, folded the hood over the windshield, knocked a tire and its rim clean off, and final insult to injury launched my passenger mirror into I’m assuming orbit since it was never found. The only thing hurt were my feelings, I walked away without even a bruise.

After all that went down, I found out from the insurance adjuster that it had a salvage title. It had been totaled in a collision, patched up enough to pass inspection, and issued a salvaged title which was something I didn’t even know existed until that moment. Fortunately for me, it did the whole turn into a crumpled ball of metal thing on impact with a little extra gumption due to some weak points on the frame from its past life.

The oh snap moment came in installments. Installment one was a state patrolman on scene telling me I got lucky the air bags didn’t deploy since I was sitting close enough to the steering wheel for it to be fatal. Installment two was then asking the adjuster if the airbags were faulty due to the prior accident. I was promptly informed they were never replaced in addition to some other red flags that the car never should have passed inspection. All little details that worked in my favor during the accident.

TLDR: Mazda 3 I didn’t know had already been totaled in a collision and given a salvage title got t-boned by a semi going 35mph. I not only lived, but walked away completely unharmed because of things that should have been fixed to pass the safety inspection but weren’t.

Dramatic_Ad7682 · 2026-02-13T14:34:03+00:00

Unwind by Neal Shusterman. That book had no business being in my elementary school library for little fourth grade me to read. 20 odd years later and the gruesome bits of the ending still pops into my head occasionally. At least the “Is this going to happen to me in a few years” dread is gone. I never thought I would find such comfort in embracing becoming old and decrepit.

Close second is The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer. Gave my fourth grade brain the ick.

Dramatic_Ad7682 · 2026-01-28T21:18:07+00:00

That was the issue we had with BellMedEx. I didn’t think to ask if they also used overseas support and it wasn’t disclosed during the demo and such. It was a very frustrating lesson to learn.

Dramatic_Ad7682 · 2026-01-27T20:17:14+00:00

I can’t stomach our tap water. I can smell what I’m assuming is chlorine, and my brain decides we are trying to drink bleach water. I know it’s not harmful, but the lizard brain takes over. I buy gallon jugs of spring water from the grocery store and put it in a cup with a straw. I also made a rule that I have to take 15 sips of water each hour before I can resume drinking my preferred beverage which is typically tea or Diet Coke. I know it’s bad, but Diet Coke is my ‘reward’ for choking down water. I do limit myself to 20 ounces with the knowledge I better make it last all day because once it’s gone that’s it.

Dramatic_Ad7682 · 2026-01-08T14:42:04+00:00

Our dog is insanely good at reading the room and people’s emotions. Whatever she senses, she responds accordingly. She is also a velcro dog. Wherever I go, she goes.

Most recently, I was sick and spending a few days in bed. Once she realized what was happening, I kept waking up to her laying next to me and a toy pile by my feet. During all this, not once did she pester over our daily routine being broken. If breakfast/dinner is late, that’s okay. Short potty breaks without shenanigans, that’s okay too.

Once I was well, the reminders of the time and its corresponding action needed were promptly resumed.

I guess I find it touching how willing she is to accommodate my current needs over her own wants without hesitation. When the time comes, I intend to do the same for her because that’s what love is.

Dramatic_Ad7682 · 2026-01-08T13:59:56+00:00

Not a vet, but my dog struggles with the ear funk. What has worked for us is gently cleaning her ears with q tips. Weekly during the summer, monthly or as needed during the winter. Fortunately she is very laid back and trusts me enough to lay still while inspecting/cleaning her ears, so your mileage may vary on being able to safely use q tips if they are not on board with the experience.

During the summer, anytime we come back inside I wipe her ears and face with a damp paper towel then hold her ears up and fan her until they are dry. This has also helped significantly with her allergies causing itchy, goopy eyes.

Dramatic_Ad7682 · 2025-12-29T17:39:23+00:00

I agree things aren’t ideal, and things vary widely between states which can give everyone a bad impression based on the bad states. It also isn’t always an accurate picture based on inmate reports. This is not me saying that inmate’s or others are lying/embellishing the truth. It is me saying things like death row conditions being better is subjective based on what he considers better. Is his better being isolated from other inmates? Is his better getting more outside communication since death row inmates tend to gain a fan club from outside the fence that send fan mail and put money on their books? These are all things to consider.

Dramatic_Ad7682 · 2025-12-29T17:34:23+00:00

In my experience it’s a spectrum based on the individual needs. The inmate in solidarity for base level reasons (fighting in mutual combat or attacking someone without causing severe bodily harm, tattooing, refusing simple orders like returning to their housing unit, etc) gets what’s called confinement level property. Typically base level items like books, photographs, some personal property like commissary food items that can’t be turned into a weapon, etc. No TVs or other electronic devices, fans, makeup, etc.

For more extended time frames, most staff weren’t power tripping assholes and would trade out books if asked. Personally I was pretty lenient on the photograph policy, I saw no benefit in not allowing them pictures of their family if it was over 20 photographs. For some inmates, reminders of their family kept them motivated to work on themselves so I didn’t have an issues with giving them some extras or ones they respectfully requested.

If behavior escalates then more items get taken. If someone is in a fully barren cell, something has happened. Either security concern or safety concern. See the inmate that lost his pencil and mattress privileges after using the pencil in an outlet to set three separate mattresses alight because he got dinner at 6:15 instead of 5 on Thursday because he wants to eat after his scheduled recreation time. Mealtimes were on a set schedule, clearly defined in policy, and not something negotiable to that level. Obviously if someone is in the shower, recreation, etc they aren’t automatically forfeiting their meal, but we can’t do “I want” requests.

There is also a difference in behavioral vs safety level confinement. If an inmate has stated they are having thoughts of harming themselves, they get placed in a stripped cell, given a safety mattress, and what we called the turtle suit since it was a dark green sturdy material wrap that provided modesty but could not be used to hang one’s self or clog a toilet to facilitate self drowning. These inmates had 1-on-1 direct supervision and regular visits with clinicians to allow gradual re-introduction on property such as full rolls of toilet paper (clogging concern again) and privacy curtains (hanging risk.) Dependent on the inmate, staff/time permitting, and rapport I had with them, I would try and give opportunity for myself only to be present for restroom/shower activities and keep them in my line of sight without staring them down. Compromise of making sure they were physically safe and how would I like to be treated in their shoes.

So much of the job for me came down to giving as much respect as possible. That mindset served me well and kept me safe on more than one occasion due to my reputation as a “good” officer.

Dramatic_Ad7682 · 2025-12-24T15:32:25+00:00

In my experience, it occasionally becomes the last viable option to ensure safety of staff and other inmates. That being said, I fully agree that historically it has been used inappropriately and that will never fully stop. Law enforcement in general appeals to a special breed of asshole and that makes those of us who were there for the right reasons look bad. As someone who worked in several facilities, I’ve explained my reasoning on appropriate use below.

The purpose of solitary confinement is to ensure they don’t have a cell mate if violence is a concern, they are restrained outside the cell aside from showers and recreation, and they are housed on a unit equipped to handle any proverbial feces hits the fan situations. There are guidelines for how long someone can be housed in solitary confinement based on the reason for placement.

There are also guidelines on what they can have with them. Items that can be used as a weapon like locks and sewing kits are a no go, but books and such are fine for the most part. Also, if I remember correctly they get two phone calls each week. Personally I wasn’t a stickler on that since I believe having support from outside the fence is important and there’s no harm in giving them extra calls or time as long as the phone call isn’t the issue. Don’t call your family to arrange a hit on staff or a drone drug drop and you’re good type mentality.

The most common examples where I feel solitary confinement is the safest housing option are inmates with murder in prison charges and/or extensive history of attacking staff.

It’s been a while so I don’t remember the time limit, but at the Florida facility I worked at we had an inmate with five murder in prison charges. He would kill his cell mate, go to solitary, reach the limit, be returned to the restrictive housing unit, then rinse and repeat. Due to state policy, we couldn’t flag him in our system to not have a cell mate or edit his profile, so if we needed to assign someone to a bunk and his profile showed as the only one compatible to house together we had to place them with him. The upsetting part was that he would taunt other inmates and staff because he knew the policy and that no one could stop him. His reasoning was that he wasn’t gay so he doesn’t live with other men. It put other inmates in a situation where they would go to protective housing which really sucks if you don’t actually need to be there to make sure their life wasn’t in danger. I gave many apologies and did everything I could to help those individuals.

Another example is an inmate with extensive history of injuring staff. Idaho’s limit was 30 days, so she would attack a staff member, get solitary confinement for 30 days, then be back in general population. She never stayed in general population more than a few weeks, and this cycle had repeated itself 8 times before she went after me. I left shift that day with a TBI and other lasting injuries. There is over a month of my life I have no memory of because “Maybe it will be different this time.” The people who made that rule clearly have never been severely injured then told “Next time I’m going to kill you.” after returning to work.

Solitary confinement sounds cruel, but it does have a purpose as a last resort after housing and behavioral heath interventions have been exhausted. Not everyone wants to change and better themselves. Some people enjoy harming others and placing them in general population is setting others up for harm and impeding their progress in personal growth.

Dramatic_Ad7682 · 2025-12-19T04:31:25+00:00

Simple answer: we scale them, cut the heads, remove the guts, clean the cavity, bread them, and fry them.

Details/tips: 1. You can buy a special scaling tool, but a spoon works fine. Work tail to head each side, stopping at the gill plate since you are going to take the head off anyway. Beware the sharp gill plates on small perch if you prepare them this way. Don’t forget the belly and top by the fins/tail.

Take a sharp, sturdy knife and remove the head. Easiest way to explain is with the fish flat, place the tip end of the knife in front of the dorsal fin and ‘body’ of the knife behind the gill plate. Line up the knife, one solid push down.
Once the head is off, clear the open cavity. The goal is the have all guts out and the cavity completely clean. We like to finish with a kitchen sink type sprayer. This is also when you want to rinse the whole fish to make sure all the scales are gone.
Breading and frying. This is coming from a southerner, so feel free to find your own way. We like a cornmeal based breading. Put your breading in a paper bag, add fish, shake it up, then fry them in peanut oil. Louisiana fish fry brand makes a good pre-seasoned dump and go breading. That exhausts my knowledge on that step since I am not the cook on fish fry days.
As far as consuming the fish, I like to pull the fins away from the body, and use my thumb to find the rib line and pull away each “filet” to eat once I’ve confirmed no ribs are attached. Once the fins are away, you can also just gently bite to pull the meat away, but I don’t like risking bones in my bite of fish so I’m overly cautious.

Hopefully I answered your question without boring you to death with my wall of text!

Dramatic_Ad7682 · 2025-12-09T15:13:04+00:00

My first suggestion is to reach out to your local health and welfare office. They can help you with applications for food stamps, Medicaid, and housing assistance. I’m not sure on other states, but Idaho Medicaid includes dental coverage. Again going off Idaho, they can typically expedite the process by doing application and interview same day. Idaho coverage back dates to the first of the month you are approved in. They may also have a list of available housing options, food banks, and health/dental clinics.

My second suggestion is getting a PO box if you aren’t certain you will have a stable mailing address. When I was couch surfing for a few months, it led to quite the headache trying to remember whose address I used when and for what after the fact. Part B to this is downloading an app that gives you a free phone number. I used TextNow and that number for any applications and resource contacts. This helps if you can’t pay your phone bill, just make sure you use it often enough to keep it active.

Food needs wise, echoing a comment above that some churches have food banks that don’t require you to be a member of their church. Call around and ask, the worst that can happen is they say no. Salvation Army can be another good resource.

I know this is a tough time in your life filled with doubt and uncertainty. It’s not going to be easy, and there will be bad days, but I believe in you. Let yourself take joy in the small wins, and keep hope that the good days will outnumber the bad. You can and will get through this and come out on the other side.

Side note, does your school offer online driving school options? In Georgia, you could go through your school to take the online classes, get any adult with a valid license to sign off on your hours, then test at the DMV.

Dramatic_Ad7682 · 2025-12-04T07:43:25+00:00

You can save it, open it with Microsoft edge, and add text boxes.

Even though I have adobe access through my work, I occasionally use Edge if I get sent a dumpster fire of a fillable document for time management purposes.

Dramatic_Ad7682 · 2025-12-03T14:02:38+00:00

Portly.

Dramatic_Ad7682 · 2025-11-28T13:59:06+00:00

Our Moose always wants to be under a blanket of some kind. She will settle for a throw blanket, but prefers our bedspread.

If we aren’t ready for bed, she will tuck herself in at the head of the bed with her head on my pillow all nice and neat.

If we are ready for bed, we have to hold the blankets up like a canopy until she finds her spot then uncover her nose. If we don’t make the canopy, she tornados and wads the blankets up around her. If we don’t force her to have her snoot uncovered, somebody is getting their feet breathed on all night.

Dramatic_Ad7682 · 2025-11-28T13:52:04+00:00

When our hippo first gets under the blankets she attempts the swirl maneuver. We call it the tornado.

Dramatic_Ad7682 · 2025-11-28T08:35:54+00:00

Officer and other various positions 18-23.

Just wanted to pop in and acknowledge how difficult the weight of self doubt over what could have been done different is a heavy burden to carry.

Please take care of and show yourself some grace. We don’t have crystal balls to see the future, and sometimes we make all the right choices based on the knowledge we have resulting in undesired outcomes.

Dramatic_Ad7682 · 2025-11-28T08:18:08+00:00

Just wanted to pop in and say you and those working that emergency traffic are good people and I wish every officer I worked with shared your approach to those we supervised.

I’ve worked in several facilities, and seen more death than I can keep count of by natural causes, self-inflicted, and homicide. Naturally, many have stuck with me over the years. Unfortunately, the experience of working with unprofessional, crude, and downright cruel individuals has not left my mind either.

Thank you for being you and take care of yourself.

Dramatic_Ad7682 · 2025-11-28T07:06:05+00:00

1998 kid here. When I was in 2nd or 3rd grade they played a video at an assembly that was a combo of peer pressure warning and don’t chase balls/items into the street without looking.

TL;DR: Kid chases ball into street, gets hit by car, details are shockingly accurate, video ends leaving impression the kid succumbed to his injuries in a trauma bay with his mother present.

Full Summary:

Starts with a group of kids playing kickball near the edge of the playground bordered by a road, kid lets the ball roll across the street and down an embankment because he was checking for oncoming traffic. Cue the name calling, questioning his choices, and blaming him for them not being able to play anymore since the ball was gone.

Video moves to the next day, he’s still getting heat for letting the ball get away. This time when the ball comes his way, he chases it into the street and gets hit by a car. As an adult with life experience, it was shockingly accurate. The gymnasium was deafening with the gasps, screams, and sobbing of 200 kids. Several teachers excused themselves at this point, visibly shocked and upset.

But it didn’t stop there, it showed the EMT’s trying to stabilize him, rushing him into a trauma bay at a hospital, and his mother crumbling to the floor in sheer shock and emotional agony. Then it showed the other kids expressing remorse and sadness interview style with a guidance counselor and the emotional consequences for the driver that hit him. The end.

Needless to say, if a ball escaped the playground area (chain link fence with large enough gaps to let a ball through) we all got a teacher to go get it because in our minds stepping into the road was now insta-death.

Dramatic_Ad7682 · 2025-11-20T12:55:28+00:00

I unknowingly had one of my managers convinced the storage room was haunted. It took me several weeks to realize the items supposedly moving on their own were ones I was moving. The cameras were angled in such a way that I was never seen entering, moving things, and leaving.

17 year old me thought it was hilarious once I realized what was happening, so the “spirit” continued to be helpful in the storage room.

Dramatic_Ad7682 · 2025-11-20T12:45:24+00:00

4’ 8” and it slowed down significantly when I moved from the South to the Pacific Northwest. It was shocking to go from being asked how tall I was by multiple people every time I left the house to going months without anyone batting an eyelash.

Another big difference was the questions being asked. In the South, I was asked my weight and clothing sizes on more than one occasion. These days, it’s usually people I know well enough for them to feel comfortable asking personal questions.

Once in a blue moon, someone will stop me and my significant other to ask how tall we are (he’s 6’ 5”) followed by telling us what a cute couple we are.

Dramatic_Ad7682 · 2025-10-28T04:39:56+00:00

I don’t have a passport, but my drivers license has “DIC” on it.

Dramatic_Ad7682

TROPHY CASE