Calling briefs "diapers"....*vent*

29 This has to be one of my BIGGEST pet peeves, from way back when I was a CNA. Maybe *technically* they are diapers, but COME ON....how disprespectful can you get? I call them Depends or briefs, it at least maintains SOME dignity for the patient. Especially if they are post op, say, and are having trouble controlling their bowels as function returns to normal, and they've never had to wear them before. It's rude and demeaning.

I read an LPN's narrative charting a few weeks ago, where she actually WROTE the term "diaper." Now it's in that person's chart for all eternity. Great. Aside from the fact that it isn't something that even needs to be PUT in the narrative notes (this LPN is notorious for that, though, but that's a whole other story).

Just had to get that out.
I totally agree.

Although I personally would usually say "pad" or "incontinence pad" I don't think any disrespect is intended by your colleague.A spade is a spade at the end of the day. As long as the patient is treated with respect and dignity by the nursing staff what's the point of "politically correct" language?Different words don't erase the concept of incontinence. And who but other medical professionals will ever see the notes anyway?I take your point but I don't think it is a huge issue.

I agree with you, but the only thing I would have to add is that often, when I tell a resident that I need to change their brief they say "What?" I'll repeat "Your brief!", and this goes on until I say "Your diaper". Then they understand. I hate having to say that though. Sometimes I'll say "underwear" and they get it.

Same here. I was taught never to call is a diaper. Obviously the dementiated screamers don't care much. It's the AO ones with just a little bit of stress incontinence that might take offense to the word "diaper". Especially if, in the recent past, they did not have to use them. I never know if wearing them are new to the pt. or not, so I just stay in the habit of calling it a brief.

Quote from iNurseUKAlthough I personally would usually say "pad" or "incontinence pad" I don't think any disrespect is intended by your colleague.A spade is a spade at the end of the day. As long as the patient is treated with respect and dignity by the nursing staff what's the point of "politically correct" language?Different words don't erase the concept of incontinence. And who but other medical professionals will ever see the notes anyway?I take your point but I don't think it is a huge issue.

True! Don't use the "D" word unless they sleep in a crib, nursery, etc. Even if one of the residents calls it a diaper, I say let me check your brief. This is a pet peeve that is right up there with "resident" & "patient".

Well being English I'd never use either "Diaper" or "Depends" on account of how the patient would have not the faintest notion what I was talking about neither term being in use here.A pad is a pad. I have even heard some fully compos mentis patients call adult "diapers" a "nappy" (English term) with no embarrassment.Words are words. Using a colloquial term is not breaching the dignity of your patient.

THAT IS MY BIGGEST NURSING PET PEEVE! Thanks for this post!

Diapers are for babies and briefs are for those beyond potty training age. I do find using the term diapers disrespectful where some patients are concerned. Being incontinent is bad enough so anything we can do to make it a little more dignified should be done.

where I work we call them "attends' what about Bibbs? We call them "Clothing protectors" what does anyone else call them? (the bibbs?)

A rose by any other name....Why not call it what it is. No disrespect if it is truth. I also have issues with patients that are obviously past 'pull-ups' and I have to clean up anyways, but that is another topic for another day. DO YOU HAVE TO HAVE A MASTERS OR DOCTORATE OR MBA TO SHARE TRUTH? Sometimes whenever I cross post over into the more RN topics, you get this.How many times has orderly/aide changed names?What happened to honesty? Have we as medical professionals become so afraid of the 'Customer Service/ Hotel Restaurant industry' culture we can not call things as they are?This coming from a CNA... take it how you wish.NOW..we start talking about marking date/time or otherwise emblazoning their lack of independence across their crotch just to make fault-finding easier, I have issues.

The easiest solution to this problem is to find out what the resident/patient calls the item and take it from there.I would venture to guess that diaper would invite more objection than any of the other terms. Brief may not be understood by some. Underwear seems a good alternative.It isn't a matter of political correctness (which I dislike intensely) to use a term that doesn't bug the person wearing the time. It's common courtesy.