Family Smooth Over!

We have all been through this:  Patient is fine, no complaints, pain is under control, and all is well.  The family arrives and suddenly everything is wrong!   How can a nurse handle this without causing more stress to the patient, the family, the rest of the staff, and other patients on the floor?  Learn to smile (ALWAYS), gently touch their hand or arm and say, "You know what, you may be right, but, what can I do FOR YOU, RIGHT now that would make things better?"  The family member is so shocked that you said they might be right.  In their mind they are thinking, "She/he said I might be right, she/he wants to do something for me".  It may as simple as a cup of coffee or a warm blanket.  Try it, it is hard to be mad at anyone that has a smile on their face.  Does this work EVERY time?  Of course not, but more times than not, it works.  Remember that you do get more with honey than you get with vinegar and it only takes one person to make a difference and that person is you!