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Please take a moment to learn about your patient. I had to give that advice to the RN caring for my very educated pharmacist father in law. Don't speak to the man like he is a moron. If she had read anything on the computer she would have known that. He doesn't require special education style discussions on his medications.
I have had doctors, veterinarians, pharmacists, laywers, physical assistants, nurses, and other educated professionals as my patients. I never assume that they understand everything. I'll explain things and ask how much detail they would like (for example I was explaining pain medication orders to a nurse patient and writing it on her board, and asked her - do you know what Q4H means, etc). I respect their judgement but I also let them know that I don't want to take advantage of their education or take for granted that they understand what I'm talking about.
I find that a lot of these patients are great partners in their care. Also, on admission, I always ask if a patient is diabetic.
However I would not have explained a Colace like that and would find it very bizarre to be on the receiving end of that explanation. I'm pretty laid back, though, so I might have raised an eyebrow but not taken it too seriously.
I have had doctors, veterinarians, pharmacists, laywers, physical assistants, nurses, and other educated professionals as my patients. I never assume that they understand everything. I'll explain things and ask how much detail they would like (for example I was explaining pain medication orders to a nurse patient and writing it on her board, and asked her - do you know what Q4H means, etc). ***I respect their judgement but I also let them know that I don't want to take advantage of their education or take for granted that they understand what I'm talking about.****I find that a lot of these patients are great partners in their care. Also, on admission, I always ask if a patient is diabetic.
However I would not have explained a Colace like that and would find it very bizarre to be on the receiving end of that explanation. I'm pretty laid back, though, so I might have raised an eyebrow but not taken it too seriously.
To add: a lot of my teaching in the hospital fell by the wayside when they found out I was a nurse and took care of traumatic pts...as a trauma pt, I would've preferred more nursing teaching in the acute setting, regardless if I knew it or not; I was in pt mode.
I am grateful I never had to engage with buzzard baby talk; although I had a "no scripting clause" when I was there; I remembered that same script when I had clinicals at this particular hospital, so I nipped that in the bud...otherwise I was a perfect pt.
We don't know what education our parents have. I speak to everyone in pretty simple terms ( not quite squishy poopy) unless they say to me, hey I'm a __________. Your FIL could have said something to the effect of what he did and has a good understanding of meds.
?? I think perhaps you meant "patients" not "parents"? Freudian slip??
Palliative Care, DNP
781 Posts
I'm not saying don't explain medications based on education. This man's whole education is medication. A tad difference.