May 2023
Khalil
San Martin
,
Student
Riverside City College
Riverside
,
CA
United States
This thoughtful/caring action by Khalil potentially prevented the patient from having a psychotic episode
This student had a patient with bipolar disorder who refused to take the Divalproex flavored solution. The student noticed that previously in the MAR that nurses would just chart that the patient refused. The student, who wants to be a psych nurse, sat down with the patient and discovered that the reason that the patient did not want to take the medication was because the solution "tasted nasty". The student called the pharmacy and found that the same med was available in a pill and then called the MD to get the order changed. The student understands the importance of maintaining therapeutic drug levels to manage psychiatric disorders. This thoughtful/caring action by the Student potentially prevented the patient from having a psychotic episode that could have necessitated a need for aggressive management of the patient's behavior as a result of not being on his medication. This action towards patient-centered care demonstrates the values and principles behind the DAISY Award for which Khalil is so deserving.