Nurses: how do you give mean patients their due medication?

Question

Please tell me of your experiences in handling mean patients and what is the best way to give them their medication when they refuse it just because you're late by 15mins or 20mins.

Answer 1

actually a competent patient has a right to refuse to take their medications. apologize for the delay, explain the reasons (if appropriate), but then explicitly state that refusing to take their medications is only going to hurt them and if they're doing it to punish you, that it's not going to accomplish that purpose. if they continue to refuse, just document that in your chart (perhaps get a witness as well to verify your account), and then go about your business.

Answer 2

Well, this might not be doable but, in the case of the difficult patient, make that the first patient you give medication too.

Some folks are never happy. I would also tell the patient that you understand them being concerned. But add, " I am not important enough for you to risk your health for" Tell them what medication they are missing and what the negative effects of them missing a dose will be. Also say that you and the patient are a team. Not perfect but a team none the less.

If being nice and saying the above does not help you might say,

Mr/Mrs Soandso, I understand your upset,  but you are going against Dr Soandso's orders. If we are both trying to keep you as healthy as possible we are going to have to work together.

That means me giving your medication as soon as possible to the time it is ordered and you working with me when circumstances prevent that fro happening.

Then finally you might say, Well, thats unfortunate, I will have to make an  entry in your medical record that you are refusing your medications. Some insurance companies might threaten to disenroll a patient from their medical insurance if they are "non-compliant" meaning not cooperating with their doctors orders.

An insurance company won't care if the patient did this to teach a nurse a lesson. Legally in California it is typically acceptable to give a medication within the hour before or after the time listed. Of course there are medications  and situations when that  is not a safe practice. I would also get a supervisor or at least another employee to witness with you that the patient is refusing to take their medication. I think the patient is acting like a donkey. But donkey's get sick. Also maybe the social worker could become involved you can mention the difficulties your having with the patients doctor, and if needed request Social Services speak with the patient. Don't go this one alone. The patient sounds like a potential law suit. Also chart that the medication was brought to the patient within an hour before or after it was scheduled to be given and document that the patient is refusing medication, that the Doctor is aware and that the importance of the medication was explained to the patient who continues to refuse to take medication as ordered.

Answer 3

Be polite despite their nastiness. They are sick and not feeling up to par. It is your job to be patient with the patients