Instructions
You are an intern on a general medical ward. Harold Penhaligon, 79, has metastatic lung cancer and is in the last days of life. He can no longer swallow his tablets. The team plans a subcutaneous syringe driver. His daughter Leonie wants to know what this means.
Explain the syringe driver and the management plan to Leonie
- You do not need to take a history or examine the patient
Current medicines
Slow-release morphine 20 mg twice a day; metoclopramide 10 mg three times a day (cannot swallow now).
Plan
Not for resuscitation. Syringe driver over 24 hours: morphine, midazolam, metoclopramide; as-needed doses charted.