Inappropriate patients

This was in relation to a new patient on the ward that i was assessing

Initially on our ward which mainly deals with acute strokes a general subjective, obs/CV and mobility/balance assessment is performed prior to commencing more formal neuro assessment and treatment. On this occassion my supervisor had chosen to come into the patients room with me and another student who were assessing this gentleman. Cognitively he appreaed normal but slightly drowsy and we decided to look at his mobility in bed which was max assist and decided to assess his sitting balance. We assisted him to SOEB with close guarding and the other student kneeled in front to stabilise him and commence assessing static/dyamic sitting balance. At this point the patient decided to make an extremely inappropriate comment which caught us all by surprise. Instead of paying attention to it the supervisor, other student and myself chose to ignore/laugh it off and continue with the session.

It made me realise that sometimes like many other professions we are placed in comprimising situation that need to be dealt with professionally. If we had reacted the situation could have become uncomfortable and potentially confrontational. The supervisor said everyone involved had done the right thing and handled the situation appropriately. In regards to similar situations in the future i would most probably do the same thing as light was not made of his comments and the session continued without incident.