One of my neutropenic leukemic patients had a cold sore; we gave him antiviral pills (since cold sores are caused by a herpes virus) as well as an antiviral ointment. When I placed the order in the electronic medical record, it prompted me for directions as to where the ointment should be applied, I typed "lesion on upper lip." Ok, makes sense.
When I went in to see the patient later, he said he had received the new ointment and that it was GREAT. While he was talking, I looked at the little tube, and thought it was strange that so much of the tube looked used up... he said it felt GREAT- on his lips, on his hands, all over his face- it was SO MOISTURIZING!
Apparently his nurse had told him to go ahead and use the new "lotion" all over his arms, his face, anywhere his skin felt dry. DUDE, it's TOPICAL ACYCLOVIR! And this was not a new nurse... anyway, she called me later, laughing about it, saying she didn't realize what it was or what it was for, and that she had encouraged him to apply it liberally all over the place, since "there wasn't any directions what to use it for, I just assumed it was another lotion." Uh- I couldn't place the order without specifying exactly where the topical ointment was supposed to be applied. If you don't read the directions, then yes, you won't know what the medication is used for. Plus- isn't it a red flag how tiny the tube of ointment was? Like maybe this has a specific purpose? Plus, she's been a cancer nurse for HOW long and the name "acyclovir" is still totally foreign?
Anyway, no harm no foul. He really liked the topical acyclovir, and since it's an ointment I'm sure it was indeed moisturizing.
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