"He's just been so lethargic" the kid is of coarse already pulled apart the exam room and tried to change my password on the computer. Generally I say to parents "Tell me what's been going on with Suzy." , then as they talk I type. When they say they've been lethargic I type decreased activity. True lethargy is a serious problem. When your child barely opens their eyes when you say their name and lies in your arms and doesn't cry because the doctor is examining them, that is truely lethargic. Listless is a better word, sleepy, somulent, but please try to limit the use of the word lethargic. I understand that when your child is sick they are not as active. I have yet to meet a child who is sick who is as acitve as normal. Most adults when they are sick are as active.
Tomorrow another complaint about common complaints.
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4 comments:
What? I didn't use that word when I took my son to the ER last night...and he was putting up a fight when the doctor was trying to look into his ears...no, no, not me.
not...me...
(Thank you. From now on I shall use listless.)
I love your blog! It's nice to "hear" what a Dr is thinking but won't necessarily tell you in the exam room!
I agree with the other commenters. Thank you! Sometimes we just need to be told - although I realize you can't say that to the parent whose child is sick and who is really worried. But it is great to hear the doctor's perspective in an environment like this.
Even my mother who has been a nurse for a billion years is guilty of this one. She was visiting my niece who was less then 2 weeks old and calls me and tells me the baby is lethargic. Because she is a medical professional and used that word I was worried about a serious bacterial infection and tell her to go to the ED right away. She of coarse meant slightly more sleepy. They didn't end up going once she explained herself. She hasn't done that since.
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