Or, better question : Do you even "allow" yourself to think that the patient is a drug seeker and not actually in pain? We were drilled to be non-judgmental, openminded (and as a person, I truly am) yet still feel guilt when I believe a patient is a drug seeker.
It is hard to believe otherwise when you hear the patient laughing on the telephone, eating a McDonald's cheeseburger...and then suddenly, when you enter the room, they start to moan and say, "Ohhhh, what time is my Dilaudid due?"
I am well aware that people respond differently to pain - and I respect that. I know that pain is not categorized by behavior but rather by subjection.
Still - admit it - it's hard to not judge.
So, how do you personally handle drug seekers / manipulators / patients who like to play nurses "against" each other?
"We are also seeing a new generation come into the nursing homes. Many younger people who are old pro's when it comes to knowing what will get you wasted. I guess they are drug addicts but at least they are legalized drug addicts :rolleyes:"
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I totally agree with the above. The 3 med seekers that I described above are all in their 40's!
my goodness! in their 40's. why are they in a nursing home, do they a terminal illness?
medsurgnurse, RN
401 Posts
my goodness! in their 40's. why are they in a nursing home, do they a terminal illness?