Question about Clinical pt.

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Specializes in L&D/MB/High-risk antepartum; Hospice.

I am just starting clinicals, and have my first pt assignment. I was going over his medications and conditions, and it seems like almost every condition that he has, is a side effect of the medications that he is on. I'm not sure if this is something that I should bring up to my clinical instructor or not. I don't want to seem like I'm questioning his treatment, because I really don't know a whole lot yet. At the same time, I would hate to see any pt be harmed by treatments that are supposed to help them. Any advice here?

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Specializes in Pediatrics Only.

Sometimes, certain medications do cause side effects, in which case the doctor will place them on another medication to control that side effect- and this cycle continues.

If you'd feel more comfortable, I'd ask your instructor and see what her take on it is. She may tell you the same thing I did, or she may come up with something different as she knows the patient and his symptoms/condition.

Dont ever hesitate to ask questions when you dont know the answer- its better to ask, then to not understand something.

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You should ask your instructor about it. You're there to learn and your instructor is there to help you learn. Your instructor knows that you don't know everything. To become great nurses, nurses have to constantly learn new things, and one way they do this is by asking questions. Your instructor will probably not see you asking questions as questioning the quality of his treatment, but as willingness to seek out ways to learn more about nursing.

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Specializes in L&D/MB/High-risk antepartum; Hospice.

Thanks for the replies, I appreciate it. I will ask her about the medications when I see her tomorrow. If nothing else, maybe she can clairify the 'why' for me.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

Hello, Nurse2bNicole,

I'm very proud of the fact you have researched the drugs and discovered there is a possibility your patient may be experiencing side effects.

You are correct in that you should discuss this with your instructor. You also will learn as you go along many drugs are given for a condition/disease process and the side effects experienced are to be expected.

All drugs have side effects. Some have untoward effects where the patient suffers and can die. Those are not to be expected in the majority of the patients who are prescribed the drug/s.

You will see the health care provider will order drugs for one condition knowing the side effects to be expected and then weigh the benefits of the drugs against the risks of the side effects. If the benefit/s outweigh/s the risk/s, then the drug is normally continued.

Good job with your research and recognizing the possibility of the risk outweighing the benefit!!:balloons:

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