So, the another night, we got a new admit. Along with this new person, amongst all the busyness that accompanies new people, was a strange order that made, and still makes, me nervous. Apparently, we are to give him whiskey along with his evening medications. This worries me since alcohol interacts with so many medications. Not to mention that, if we were to need to manage any pain, we would have to give dilaudid, which shouldn't be given with alcohol. It is an order, and he said he legally is able to do so, but it still makes me uncomfortable. It doesn't seem right as part of my nursing duties to be giving patients alcohol.
Has anyone ever heard of this? Am I right to be leery about this order?
This used to be common, then went away, now is making a comeback. Would you rather deal with a combative, belligerent, paranoid, agitated, seizing DT patient or the hassle of giving someone a drink of whiskey?
It doesn't seem right as part of my nursing duties to be giving patients alcohol.
This sounds like it is loaded with more than a little bit of judgment. Is that the case? If it's determined to be of therapeutic benefit and no danger (do assure yourself of that), why would you feel that way?
Specializes in Adult and Pediatric Vascular Access, Paramedic.
The patient is probably an alcoholic and is not interested in stopping. It's Ativan or Whiskey, both MAY interact with medications, but since the patient may seize without either you have to pick your poison.
Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.
If you have an order then give it. If I am stuck in a nursing home I want whiskey and dilaudid please. A little peace is a good thing. Seriously though, if that is their normal thing it is best to not make them endure DT's which is very dangerous.
Even if the patient is not an alcoholic, a cocktail or a glass of wine isn't necessarily inappropriate. Why do people lose their right to enjoy a favorite beverage simply because they are in assisted living or even a nursing home? Assuming it's not going to harm the patient, what exactly is the problem here? Nowhere is it stated that the nurse has an order to get the patient hammered.
The patient is probably an alcoholic and is not interested in stopping. It's Ativan or Whiskey, both MAY interact with medications, but since the patient may seize without either you have to pick your poison.
Annie
I agree. Like many of us, I have had more alcoholics than I care to remember. Currently, the approach in favor is to detox ALL of them using benzos and (hopefully) prevent seizures. There is also a prevailing sense of urgency among the nurses and the doctors to discharge them ASAP before the magic 3rd day where severe withdrawal tends to occur. I for one just don't get it. We know the vast majority of these folks aren't going to quit drinking, so why even try? It makes much more sense to me to keep withdrawal at bay with the poison they came in with, address their other medical problems and discharge them back to their lives without try to be virtuous and detox them. Unless of course the patient expresses the wish to attempt detoxing.
Everyone who has an occasional, or even every day glass of wine or an ounce or two of liquor, is not an alcoholic. They are not going to go into DT's. You might want to look into alcohol and addiction.
LOL..I was about to post that just because you drink daily does not mean you will go into DTs a couple days later from withdrawal..
It needs to be stored in the med room fridge, but as far as pouring it goes it's no different than measuring out cough syrup or liquid narcs like morphine or ativan.
It's a drug and it's no worse than a xanax in small doses. Whats the big deal?
MunoRN, RN
8,058 Posts
This used to be common, then went away, now is making a comeback. Would you rather deal with a combative, belligerent, paranoid, agitated, seizing DT patient or the hassle of giving someone a drink of whiskey?