web of manipulation?

[piezo-electricite]

Hi,

I'm a student doing my psych rotation and I really like it.

Im, however, confused: a pt w/o insurance was admitted and started to ramble in the day room, in front of others of how no one was seeing him or giving meds and that no one was helping him and worse, he'll get evicted from home and has no job, blah blah. I know the nurses were getting VERY annoyed, esp. b/c he was admitted regardless of his lack of insurance, was actually seen by an MD and was given three meds...only not the ones he was seeking. Well, I asked him how he managed previously to get his prescribed meds and he said sometimes he had to go w/o paying bills and also buy them on the street. Well, that was when the RN popped in, heard only the part about buying benzos on the street and accused him of glorifying drug use, which was not the case. She asked me to back her accusation up and I had to be honest and say that I did not think he was glorifying drug use. She got mad at me saying that now she's the bad guy and that I just did what he manipulated me to do. I know he was drug seeking and upset and ungrateful for what they did to him and an annoyance and disruption at the unit. Well...I just could not in good conscience affirm that he was glorifying drugs when he was not doing that at all.

What do you all think about this?

[Whispera, MSN, RN]

Never ever stretch the facts because it seems to be expected! Consider who is the priority...the other nurse or the patient?? You must do what is truthful, honorable, and in the best interest of the one who depends on you to care appropriately. I could get on my soapbox, but I think I'm on it enough already!

[DavidLCPCCSADC]

This patient could have easily been abusing bezodiazepines by buying them on the street, taking them recreationally or to medicate withdrawal symptoms, otherwise just serving as his own "doctor" and attempting to justify his behavior..... and rationalize it as "self medication". Within that context, I could see an aspect of drug glorification that a seasoned nurse could have picked-up on.

Rather than taking sides, you could have empathised with the frustration, chaos, and confusion of the situation....and reclaimed your status as a student.