I can't tell you how many times I get patients who don't know their medications by name. We ask what medicines are you taking and they reply with " I take a small pink pill, a red one, green one and two white pills. One is a water pill and I know I take a blood pressure pill". Well guess what? You didn't tell me jack! If you don't know what medications you are taking I suggest you make a list and carry it with you. Knowing your meds is very important. You don't want to get something that doesn't interact well with what you are currently taking! You will be very thankful you made a list and your nurse will thank you too!
All comments are greatly appreciated!!!!
Hair vs. Chemo
14 years ago
Several years ago my 75 year old mother had an unexpected trip to the ER. The physcian began asking her about the medications she was taking and she said the exact same thing you stated in your article. I was horrified that my mom, who was alert, oriented and all knowing about most things, had no idea what meds she took daily. I was also embarrassed that as a nurse, I had no idea what meds she was taking either. After that experience, we as a family formed a medication list for mom. We work with her primary physcian to keep the list updated. Mom keeps a copy with her at all times and my sister and I also have a copy. We also have a list of all her physcians. Because I have found that sometimes elderly patients are afraid/intimadated to ask a doctor his/her name. My mom now asks for his/her card if she cannot spell the physcian's name. If the physcian doesn't have a card, then mom will ask him/her to legible write their name.
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