Clearly you’re not ok becsuse you’re seeing a doctor, but aren’t you supposed to be polite to the nurse? But then again the nurse is doing your intake assessment.

  • dan1101@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    Be honest about what’s wrong, that’s why you’re there. But in a polite way. “Well, my day started off well but then I broke my arm so I’m worse now.”

  • TheMusicalFruit@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    It’s their job to know how you are truly doing and what you’re there to be treated for, no decent nurse would be offended if you got right to the point. “Hi, I’ve been having lower abdominal pain for a couple days, if it weren’t for that, I’d be doing good.” If the straight forward approach seems weird, you can follow it up with other pleasantries. Source: I’m a nurse.

    • T156@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      Depends on where you are. In some countries, saying that tends to be be just chatter/fluff, and the person asking does not expect an earnest answer.

      But that said, if they’re seeing a doctor, it might be better to just be honest, instead of faffing about. At worst, they’re understandably slightly rude, and at best, they can make the nurse’s job easier.

  • Candelestine@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    They’re partly gauging your delivery and seeing where your mental state is at. So, being coherent if possible is probably ideal. Beyond that it’s a matter of taste I imagine.

  • Alue42@kbin.social
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    1 year ago

    I’m honest. If I’m there for an annual exam and have no complaints I just say I’m fine. If I’m there for an issue I say “not great”. If I’m there for a follow up of an issue and it’s gotten better I say “better than last time”, or if it’s not gotten better or gotten worse I say “not as good as I’d hoped for”. These leave it open for the nurse to leave the answer as-is and continue with their checklist or follow up and ask about the symptoms.

  • roguetrick@kbin.social
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    1 year ago

    We ask open ended questions just to assess your general response. If we want other information, we’ll ask more focused questions. There isn’t a right answer and we get paid by the hour so you’re not wasting our time.

    • Drusas@kbin.social
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      1 year ago

      Definitely not because they usually ask you this while you’re in the hallway, still walking towards the doctor’s room. They don’t want you sharing your medical information publicly.

  • pjhenry1216@kbin.social
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    1 year ago

    I usually answer with essentially some form of phatic expression and segue into why I’m there. “Fine thanks, just been having this persistent cough for a bit that I can’t seem to shake.” Honestly, the phatic expression is likely enough, but you know the next question is going to be why are you here. This kind of opens that door and gets the exchange moving forward in my opinion.