Ms. Smith by Tammy Elgar

Ms. Smith had a history of end stage renal disease, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. She was receiving dialysis three times a week and pruritus was an ongoing problem for her. Among other medications, she was taking morphine sulfate and Benadryl, both q4h PRN pain and pruritis respectively. When I received report that morning, I was told of Ms. Smith’s daily “drama” and how she writes down the medications she receives as well as the times, particularly her morphine and Benadryl. To a small degree, I instantly took on the night nurse’s opinion of the patient before I even met her.