i get so many good laughs that i can feel younger by 5 years.
here is my story: (over the phone, ESL speaking customer, tons of Rx labels piling, lines of customers waiting, yelling, disputing)
me: (introducing)
cus.: I gonna give my daughter 1.2 mg but the spoon only has 0.3 and 0.6.
How can i give her the liquid? (very concerned about the right dose)
me: (look up profile)
1. < 2 yrs
2. Dx: shake well and give "---" 1.2 ml (30 mg) twice a day
me: (correct the cus.) you're supposed to give your child 1.2 ml, not 1.2
mg (keep repeating this sentence about 10 times)
cus.: (finally) ok, it's 1.2 ml. But how can I give the medication to her, the
spoon only has 0.3 and 0.6
10 mins passing, I was like "Oh my God, why me?"
me: (take a deep breath, and exhale slowly)
mam, you can give your child 4 times of 0.3 or 2 times of 0.6. Either
way you give her the exact dose.
cus: but it's 0.3 and 0.6 blah blah blah (for 5 min)
I lost myself. I even told her "this is a basic math level", that "this is a basic multiplication".
But I told myself to be more patient, tolerant, b'cause this was for a <2 yrs child.
Finally, the RPh, overhearing our conversation, recognized the patient and told me to inform the cus that her husband, the one picking up the liquid, already got a counseling on how to dose the medication. But guess what, the husband picked up the liquid 4 days ago but the wife just called in now to ask about the dosing.
I learned 2 lessons: being a parent means responsibility and some knowledge, and being a HC professional means ethics, reponsibility, and liability.
What a day!
And another customer waiting was like, "I shoulda used that trick!".
I guess everyone wears labcoats and has a bunch of medication bottles behind em in a photo developing area...
