What would you do?

[DroogieRN]

I'm a relatively new RN but would like advice from those who have more experience. This is no biggie really, but I just don't know the answer.

I try my best to accommodate my patient's requests but I work on a busy tele floor and can't always bend over backwards -- if I go in the pt's room with their 10 p.m. meds in my hand and she says, "I don't want them now, bring them back in about half an hour," then what is a reasonable response? I can't possibly predict what I'll be doing in half an hour and I am there now. Should I just try my best to do what she asks? If everyone did this, I'd never get anything done!

[regularRN]

Do not leave the meds on the table. Ask the pt to use the call bell when he/she is ready - if this is outside the one hour window, change the time and state that the pt requested to receive the meds late.