The brain is amazing. The more I do this hospitalist medicine gig, the more impressed I am with how complex upper motor neuron function can be. I was taking care of an elderly 88 year old man who didn't know nothin'. He didn't know what month it was. He didn't know what year it was. He didn't even know he was in the hospital. The nurses were trying to get an IV in him. Instead of doing my one question mini mental exam, I decided to kick it up a notch.
Happy: What's the square root of 16?Old Man: 4?Happy: What?Old Man: 4.Happy: What's the square root of 25?Old Man: 5.Happy's shockedNurse: He used to be an accountant.Happy: What's the square root of 144?Old Man: 12
Happy: That's amazing.
The brain is amazing. And this guy is living proof. Listen up doctors and nurses. The next time you think your confused and demented old man doesn't have a clue, make sure you do Happy's square root sign before passing judgement as to their cognitive ability. They might just surprise you.
If you're a student or a resident, it's time to tuck away Happy's other signs in your diagnostic arsenal
- Handsome Sign
- Sleeping Husband sign
- O and Q sign
- Twenty sign
- MFer sign
- Texting in the ER sign
- Band-Aid sign
- Intact Humor Reflex sign
- Fibromyallergia sign
- Denture Stains sign
- How to find a lost cell phone in the hospital: Happy's honesty sign
- And while you're at it, check out these funny homeless signs.
