Free Sacred Trust by Hannah Alexander Page B

some tests to check you out.” He glanced at the chart again. Beverly had only had time to do the vitals, not a complete assessment.
    â€œDo you take any medicines, Darlene?”
    She shook her head. “Supposed to take theophylline and two inhalers, but I haven’t lately. I ran out. Can’t afford refills.”
    Lukas nodded. “Any drug allergies?”
    She shook her head.
    â€œAny chance of pregnancy?”
    This got her attention. She shot him a very startled look, blushed, shook her head. “No.”
    â€œSorry, I had to ask. We’re doing an X-ray.”
    She shot him another startled look. “Do you have to? I don’t have insurance.”
    He considered it a moment. He’d like to see an X-ray, but with the other tests, it may not be necessary. “Okay, we’ll put a hold on that for now, but we still may need it, depending on what the other tests show.” That could be what was bothering her.
    She looked slightly relieved.
    â€œHello.” There was a knock at the open door, and Kaye, the respiratory tech, walked in. “Are you Darlene Knight? I’ve got orders to make you start feeling better, or I lose my job. Got a few minutes?”
    Lukas smiled at her. “Thanks for coming so quickly, Kaye. Darlene, I’ll be back after your treatment.” He braced himself to face the man with the migraine.
    â€œDo you make a habit of abandoning your patients in this emergency room?” Mr. Little demanded as Lukas walked back in and laid the clipboard down on the counter.
    â€œNot if we can avoid it,” Lukas said calmly. “Would you mind stepping to the bed?”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œIf I’m going to treat you, I’m going to check you out. Please move to the bed. If you need some help, I can—”
    â€œI don’t need help,” the man snapped, then grudgingly obeyed Lukas.
    Lukas checked heart, lungs, reflexes. Normal. Then he lowered the lights and checked the eyes. Bingo. They were pinpoint, no dilation. In this dimly lit room, that didn’t fit.
    He picked up the chart. “Mr. Little, it says here that you’re allergic to Imitrex and Reglan. Those are our drugs of choice for migraine. What medications have you taken before?”
    â€œDemerol and morphine work best.”
    â€œBut I can’t in good conscience give you a narcotic without running some tests to make sure you’re not in danger. I need a CT and a urine—”
    â€œWhat?” Little brought his hands down from his head and glared at Lukas. “What’re you trying to do to me? I just want some simple pain relief! No urine test.”
    Lukas checked the time. Forty-five minutes until Camp took over. No problem with this patient; he was about to leave. Federal law had to be satisfied first, though. Lukas knew the regulations well. Unfortunately, Little probably did, too, if he was habitual.
    Darlene was another problem. For some reason, Lukas wanted to finish her himself.
    â€œOkay, Mr. Little, I’ll send the nurse in with a shot for you.”
    The man visibly relaxed. “It’s about time.”
    Lukas had Beverly take a dose of Toradol to Mr. Little in room three while Lukas looked for and found the young man’s old chart at the central desk. Very interesting—eleven E.R. visits in four months, all for pain shots and pills. How many other area hospitals had records on him?
    â€œCarol, please call the area emergency departmentsand check to see if Mr. Dwayne Little has visited them recently for pain medication.”
    Carol raised a brow at him. “Yes, Doctor, but you know who he is, don’t you?”
    â€œYes. Thank you for your concern.”
    Lukas returned to Darlene in room six.
    She still wore her mask and the finger probe. Her O2 sat was still low, but better. Her arterial blood gas turned out to be better than Lukas had expected. He checked her breathing.
    The wheezing was louder.