Too much medication

[jonie8693]

Hello, I have a question, I'm an LVN but not a hospice nurse. My grandmother is on hospice and she has her emergency medications in a box in the fridge. One of the syringes I'm assuming and I believe the admitting nurse told me was the Ativan, Benadryl, Haldol topical medication it says A/B 1/25mcg so I was just wondering since it only says A/B is it just ativan and benadryl? Reason I'm asking my grandmother developed a rash on her bottom on Saturday and the nurse on call came by and said it was shingles, I didn't see the rash at this point and started her on Acyclovir and Neurontin and I guess in the middle of the night she was just scratching like crazy on her hands so my Aunt called the on call nurse and told her to give her that topical gel in her emergency med box. When my grandmother woke up my aunt said she broke out in a rash all over her body and called the nurse again and she said to give her Benadryl every 4 hours, after the 1st dose it cleared up and by the time I saw her that afternoon her rash on her bottom looked very good I just 1 little red area. If it was shingles wouldn't it still be there? Now by the time I see her she's very weak,lethargic and just not herself, at this point she's on Neurontin, Benadryl, Tramadol, Acyclovir and Lorazapam for the Shingles and I was not to happy with the on call nurse and told my aunt she doesn't need to give her the topical gel anymore and that she was over medicated, but I guess I don't know what I'm talking about and they are in charge and want her to be comfortable, I'm all for that and I don't want her to be uncomfortable but I don't want her doped up either. Her regular nurse came out on Monday and said yes she was on to much medication and is what probably caused her reaction so they DC'd the meds and now she's much better. I would like to be told before she starts or is given any medication from the on call nurse now, can I request that she notifies me before telling my family what to give her? Thank You for your help!!

[MrNurse(x2), ADN]

I am not a hospice nurse, but I had a similar experience when my father was in hospice. The agency was very accommodating to the point of making a call to both my father/ step mother and me. Hopefully your GM's hospice can be as accessible as that. The hospice nurses are excellent at that EOL attitude, as my father was becoming fatigued from frequent urinating, and the acute setting mantra of no foley was going through my wife's and my head, but the hospice nurse made a call that day to insert the foley. Good luck and I hope you can find a happy medium for being involved in the care.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

I'm so very sorry you and your family is going thru this situation. However, the best person to discuss this with is her provider.