General
bungee jumper
What does bungee jumper mean?
Slang for a patient who repeatedly pulls out a catheter, drip or tube, as if bungee-jumping off it.
"Fourth line today — he's a proper bungee jumper."
Origin
Nursing slang metaphor.
Frequently asked questions
What is a bungee jumper in nursing slang?
A patient who repeatedly pulls out their own catheter, drip or tube, as if bungee-jumping off the line.
Why is it a problem?
Each re-insertion of a line or tube is uncomfortable, time-consuming and raises infection risk, so a bungee jumper generates a lot of extra work.
Is the term offensive?
It's affectionate-exasperated nursing metaphor rather than a slur, often about a confused patient.
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