I have been a nurse for 30 years and have witnessed as well as experienced the very diverse ways of nursing practice and bedside care. My 82-year-old mother was admitted with COPD exacerbation respiratory failure and developed pneumonia. After 2 days of antibiotics, the pneumonia was better but her mental status declined and deteriorated to the point of Alicia was concerned it might be a stroke. She acted quickly but the CT was clear and mom was becoming more unresponsive.

Alicia went home from her night shift with my mom on her mind bothered by her worsening state. She stayed awake and did some research finding out that the antibiotic cefepime can cause neurotoxicity. The next morning she spoke with the Doctor who wasn't convinced this was possible, as he disagreed the med could cross the blood-brain barrier. Alicia pressed on with her findings stating it was rare but was shown to occur and in fact, does cross the BBB. When the Doctor came in later in the morning he told us he was stopping the cefepime and explained why, but did not mention Alicia.

After close to 30 hours of being off the med, my mother's mental status began to improve and by 48 hours she was AAOx3 and talking. Alicia only humbly told us what she had done after discussing mom's improvement late one night when I stayed with mom. My mom received wonderful care from all of the staff and IMS doctors but these kinds of stories happen all the time and as the saying goes, "Behind all good doctors stands a great nurse." I thank God for my profession and dedicated nurses like Alicia. Thank you ALL. My mother will be discharged for hopefully a short rehab stay and then home for us to love and enjoy for a while longer.