How did you know that?

Today at work I had a patient clinic. It's a day where we book patients in to see the doctor to assess their cancer treatments, or to follow-up with them so many weeks or months after they finished their treatment.

Anyway, there was a patient that was having a hard time during his treatment. Basically lots of pain and zero appetite. This patient was already on a hefty dose of narcotics.

After I assessed the patient I went and discussed my findings with the doctor before he went into see the patient. I suggested to him that the patient could probably benefit from a medication called Dexamethasone. It is a strong steroid medication that decreases inflammation, but it can also decrease nausea and increase the appetite.  I also suggested an antacid medication because Dexamethasone can cause gastric reflux.

The doctor went into see the patient and then came out.  He asked for a blank prescription and started to write out a prescription, and then said to me  "How did you know that?"  I asked him "Know what?" and he replied "That he needs Dexamethasone?"

I simply smiled and told him that I am not a new nurse, and that I'm smart!  

Haha I know Dexa quite well! My Mom takes 4mg 2x/day to help with inflammation, decrease nausea, and increase energy from her cancer treatment. You are smart and obviously good at what you do! When will doctors learn that sometimes Nurses know more than they do? 

Hopefully that patient gets as many benefits from the dexa as my Mom has! 

My IBD kitty takes a small dose of that every day.  He used to take Prednisolone but there were a number of months here recently when it wasn't available so the vet switched him.  The Prednisolone is available again but he's doing well so the vet decided to leave well enough alone.  It's cheaper than the Prednisolone which is a nice bonus for me.