sports+injury+and+beer+drinking

=Sports Injury=

//A man walks into your pharmacy, requesting Nurofen Plus for his friend who hurt his knee while playing footy. They are currently down at the bar celebrating their team's win.//

Problem
This is probably an acute injury that an NSAID (ibuprofen) would potentially delay healing time. There is also the issue that drinking would also slow down the healing rate of the injury.

= =

Questions to Ask
- How long ago did it happen? //determines whether NSAIDs could be used (not recommended acutely)// - What symptoms is he experiencing? //marked swellling, bruising and pain suggests serious injury and referral// - How did it occur? //if they are not able to bear their full weight when walking, then referral is needed// - Can he walk easily using his injured leg? - What medications are they on? //need to determine if Nurofen would be safe to dispense ('Have you seen your mate use a puffer for asthma?' to rule out asthma)//

What to do
You will need to determine if an NSAID can be used in this situation. If the injury has been recent or if the patient has a contraindication to NSAID use, then offer an alternative such as paracetamol (plus codeine, if required). You will also need to explain RICER/No HARM, although it may be difficult for the injured man to avoid alcohol while at the bar, so stating the risks of drinking alcohol while injured, but trying to stick to reality (//'if you plan on drinking, try not to drink as much as you normally would')// as it would be unlikely for him to avoid drinking for the night. Stating the risks about [|NSAID use in acute injury] can help if the friend insists on buying it.