It is not enough for doctors to know that a patient has been prescribed a medication. They must also know the prescribed dose and whether the patient is taking it properly. Some patients do not want to admit they forgot to take their medication a few times or took the wrong amount of it. However, when patients are not honest about how they have been taking their prescription medications, doctors are more likely to overprescribe a medication that does not seem to be working at a lower dose or switch the patient to a different medication altogether. Prescription medications can also interact with each other. If doctors have accurate information about patients' prescription medication history, they are better able to avoid prescribing drugs that are known to interact dangerously when taken together.
Piercings
Photo Credit: Womens Magazine
Some patients feel embarrassed about disclosing all of their piercings and tell nurses that only their ears are pierced. It is important for doctors to know about all of the piercings a patient has because the process used to control bleeding during surgery involves passing a current through a metal wire to generate heat. This can affect metal piercings and fry the surrounding skin. Disclosing information about piercings may also help doctors pinpoint the source of a persistent infection.
