How to get an honest answer on cocaine use
Patients may be hesitant to admit cocaine use, either because they fear legal consequences or because they don't want family members to know, says Pamela Tokarski, RN, an ED nurse at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. Do the following to obtain a truthful response:
- Tell the patient that the questions are being asked for medical reasons only.
Explaining that ED personnel are not using the information for legal reasons might bring out a more truthful answer, says Tokarski.
- Give patients a preface.
Before asking about cocaine use, Regina L. Wright, MSN, RN, CEN, CNE, clinical nurse specialist for emergency services at Albert Einstein Healthcare Network in Philadelphia, always prefaces her questions by saying, "I ask everyone these questions. Please do not be offended. Please answer honestly. The answers are very important for how we are going to treat you." She asks patients:
— Do you use alcohol?
— Do you use any recreational drugs? Cocaine, crack, marijuana?
— Have you ever used cocaine or crack, even one time?
— When is the last time you used cocaine or crack?
— How much cocaine or crack do you use?
- Always interview the patient alone.
"Patients are not forthcoming about recreational drug use, especially with family members present, however, in front of health care providers as well," says Wright. "Assure the patient the information is confidential and essential for appropriate treatment."
Patients may be hesitant to admit cocaine use, either because they fear legal consequences or because they don't want family members to know, says Pamela Tokarski, RN, an ED nurse at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. Do the following to obtain a truthful response:You have reached your article limit for the month. Subscribe now to access this article plus other member-only content.
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