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What is the medicine for?

Illustrated Story B11, with a text transcript.

Read story B11: What is the medicine for? (image and text)
Four-panel illustrated story, What is the medicine for? A doctor discusses a possible medicine with Alison, an older white woman with delirium, and her daughter Kate. Kate asks what symptom it is meant to help. The doctor offers to discuss benefits, risks and other options. Kate asks when it will be reviewed. No drug or dose is named. Footer: If a medicine is suggested, ask what it is for and when it will be reviewed.

There are different reasons why medicines may be used when someone has delirium. A medicine may treat a cause of delirium, relieve pain, or be considered for particular distressing symptoms. Those are different aims.

Ask what the medicine is for, what benefit is expected, what the risks are for this person and when it will be reviewed. It is reasonable to ask about other ways of helping too. Changes should be agreed with the treating team.

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Story text

  1. Panel 1. A medicine is being considered.

  2. Panel 2.

    • Kate: What is it meant to help with?

  3. Panel 3.

    • Doctor: Let’s discuss the benefits, risks and other options.

  4. Panel 4.

    • Kate: And when will it be reviewed?

Bottom band. If a medicine is suggested, ask what it is for and when it will be reviewed.

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