I occasionally float to an out patient orthopedic surgical center. I overhear co-workers giving patients discharge instructions. They often tell the patient to set their alarm clock to wake them after, (I would guess what ever their prescription says, i.e., two pills every four hours)to wake themselves up and take more pain pills.
It just seems odd to me but I am not a regular orthopedic nurse and I have never had orthopedic surgery. I understand they might, will, wake up later and be in a lot of pain. So I kind of get it, but still I think to myself if I were the patient I would not do it. If I am sleeping well, deeply, I'd hate to be woken up. I'd figure when the pain came back I'd awaken naturally?
Honestly I think I, and patients, might more accidentally overdose themselves? I have taken pills at night and 1/2 hour later thought to myself ?? Did I take my medicine? I'd be concerned they'd take two narcotic pain pills, return to sleep, kind of wake up two hours later not remember if they took their pills and take 2 more!!!!!
