Monkey-see, monkey-do?

[bluegeegoo2, LPN]

I have run across this situation just a few times so far in my career, and was curious if others have seen it as well. Case #1: Two A/O female resident roommates that HAD to have the same meds/creams. One got an order for Benadryl at HS, so the other suddenly couldn't sleep so she got the order as well. One c/o left shoulder px and rec'd an order for Voltaren Gel QID, and lo and behold, the other res left shoulder began to "bother" her so naturally, she got the Voltaren as well. (Both spoke to their own MD, the same MD of course to secure their orders). Case #2: Two dementia male roommates who wives made sure if one was on a med, the other got the med as well, down to the same dose. The drug? Keppra. We have tried to explain in vain that Keppra is NOT a "one size fits all" type of drug. Yes, they both have seizure disorders, but if one gets a med adjustment, the wife of the other insists that her husband also gets the med adjusted. For both cases the "monkey-see, monkey-do" thing goes much further, but I used those points above to illustrate the basics of the situations. Pt teaching produced zero results, as all parties are convinced they need what the other has. Anyone else run into this problem? Were you able to solve it?

[RN_2012, BSN, RN]

Why wound one wife even know what the others husband is taking?

[bluegeegoo2, LPN]

Why wound one wife even know what the others husband is taking?

They are good friends and neighbors and talk frequently.

[Nascar nurse, ASN, RN]

The Benadryl & voltaren,maybe....but keppra??? Why would a dr order a dosage based on a patient request. Craziness.

[bluegeegoo2, LPN]

The Benadryl & voltaren,maybe....but keppra??? Why would a dr order a dosage based on a patient request. Craziness.

I think it's mostly d/t the wife incessantly hounding him about what dose he's on, and the MD finally caves to escape. It IS crazy. This res also recently had a seizure, so sorry Miss Wifey, up goes the dose.