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Understand Your Medication
Your doctor may prescribe medication for you while
you are in the hospital. It is important that you understand exactly what they are for and how to take them. The checklist below will help you ask your doctor the right questions:
• What is the name of the medicine?
• What is this medicine for?
• How do I take this medicine, how much do I take, how many times a day and for how long?
• What are the possible side e ects?
• Can I take this medicine while taking other medications or dietary supplements?
• Are there any foods, drinks or activities that I should avoid while taking this medicine?
• Should I take my medicine with or between meals, on an empty stomach, with food or water?
• What should I do if I miss a dose?
Use a watch you can program, your computer, a tablet or cell phone to set an alarm that will help you remember to take your medications on time.
Use the Medicine Minder provided on page 18 to help you keep track of all of your medications, strengths
and dosages.
THERE ARE NO
DUMB QUESTIONS WHEN IT COMES TO MEDICATION: You have an experienced sta on hand to help you fully understand your medications. So–ask!
Help Prevent Medicine Errors
Tell Your Doctors And Nurses:
• Allmedicationsyouaretaking, including prescription or over- the-counter drugs, herbal or vitamin supplements, natural remedies and recreational drugs. Make a list before you go to the hospital.
• If you have allergies to medications, anesthesia, foods, latex products, etc. Medical alert tags are a good way of relaying information about you. For example, if you are allergic to any medications, are diabetic or on blood thinners, the tag would display this information. These medical alert tags can be found at your local pharmacy.
Be sure that any medications, procedures or lab tests ordered match the name on your ID bracelet.
Your Pain Level
Your pain level is an important factor in your recovery. It is vital that you acknowledge your pain level. When describing your pain, be sure to tell your healthcare team:
• How long you’ve been in pain and where.
• How your pain feels—dull, aching, throbbing, sharp, stabbing, burning or tingling.
• If your pain is constant, or if it comes and goes.
• If there is anything that makes your pain feel better or worse.
• How much, if any, relief you are getting from your medicine.
• If your medicine gives you relief and for how long.
Talk to your healthcare team about managing your pain with di erent treatment options.
How Bad Is Your Pain On This Scale?
0. No Hurt
2. Hurts Little Bit
4. Hurts Little More
6. Hurts Even More
8. Hurts Whole Lot
10. HurtsWorst
www.wongbakerFACES.org ©2016 Wong-Baker FACES® Foundation. Used with permission.
Tell Your Nurse Or Doctor About Your Pain. Controlling It Can Help You:
• Stay comfortable while you heal
• Get well faster
• Return to your daily routine
• Reduce anxiety and stress
• Improve your sleep
• Reduce your risk of medical
complications
• Decrease your risk of chronic pain
PATIENT SAFETY
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