Doctor wanted me to lie to patient...

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Specializes in LTC.

This is a LTC setting but assisted living. Long story short:

Resident is AOx3 c/o itching rash. Doc examines her and doesn't see anything and tells the nurse to increase remeron because she is probably making this up because she's depressed:uhoh3:.I come on at 3pm and see the order when I asked the nurse did she advise the resident(the resident is in charge of her own medical decisions) of the new order she says no. So I tell the resident about the new order and she is furious. She states I don't need the med increased I'm fine and do not feel depressed. I call the doc and tell him the residents concern and he laughs and states" Just tell her its for the itching" I stated " I thought you wanted to increase remeron for depression" I also state" what if she still doesn't want to take it , can you d/c it"? He agrees. I initially felt like an idiot because I was thinking maybe he was using it for an unlabeled use. Well I looked up the drug and there is NO indication what so ever that the drug is helps relieves puritus as a matter of fact rash and puritus is a side effect. I told the resident that the doc says its ok to D/C the increased dose and to go back to the previous dose;). I refuse to lie to a resident. She was very grateful that I clarified this. She stated she hates for decisions to be made without her consent. I admire her for being so proactive in her health care and I give myself kudos for being an advocate. The expression of appreciation on her face was priceless:nurse:. As for the itching... she does has an order for file atarax to help with that in addition to lotions and creams to sooth the dry skin.

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Glad you got to advocate for your pt and were appreciated for it.

-I will totally admit to lying to confused pt's though in LTC, but that was not like your case at all.

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Specializes in Certified Med/Surg tele, and other stuff.

Is the remeron causing the itching?

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I couldn't understand your post at the end. Did she already have an order for the atarax on file?

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It's great you well played your role as pt advocate.

I just didn't understood the last part of your post; how the pt got Atarax? the same Dr prescribed it to him/her or was already in pt's med profile?

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