E4: Medication Matters: Safety, Side Effects, and Speaking Up

In this episode of Two Southern Nurses: Doses of Wit & Wisdom, we take a deep dive into medication safety and patient advocacy across every care setting. From recognizing dangerous side effects like orthostatic hypotension and nerve pain to navigating polypharmacy in older adults, we break down what nurses, caregivers, and families need to know to prevent harm before it happens. We also talk about safe patient handling, skin integrity in aging adults, communication tools for nonverbal patients, pain assessment beyond the numbers, and why nurses must trust their clinical judgment—especially when something “just isn’t right.” Plus, we discuss hospice and palliative care myths, post-discharge gaps in care, Prescription Drug Take Back Day, Narcan education, and the importance of breast cancer awareness and early screening. This episode is packed with real-world nursing wisdom, practical tips, and honest conversations about advocating for patients—at the bedside and beyond.