"Cook, Robin - Vital Signs" - читать интересную книгу автора (Cook Robin)

She watched the droplets of fluid fall in the micro pore filter. She'd never had an IV before.

"What if he decides to do a cone biopsy rather than a punch?"

Dr. Arthur replied as he slowed the IV to a mere trickle.

"Or if he decides to do any more extensive procedure? Obviously we'd have to give you something in addition. After all, we want this to be as pleasant as possible."

Marissa shuddered at the term "more extensive procedure."

Before she could stop herself she blurted out, "I want to make it absolutely clear that I only signed a consent for a biopsy and not anything more extensive like a hysterectomy."

Dr. Arthur laughed, then apologized for finding her reminder humorous.

"No need to worry on that score," he said.

"We certainly don't do hysterectomies in the minor procedure room."

"What will you be giving me?" Marissa asked sheepishly.

"You want to know the specific drugs I'll be using?" Dr.

Arthur asked.

Marissa nodded. No one at the clinic knew she was a doctor, and Marissa preferred it that way. When she'd first signed up for the clinic's services, she'd filled out a form which only asked for her employer. She'd listed the Boston Memorial since at the time she was taking a year of fellowship in pediatric endocrinology.

The fact that she was a physician wasn't a secret and if they asked her, she'd certainly have told them. But no one had asked, a fact she took as further confirmation of the kind of confidentiality she had come to expect of the clinic.

Dr. Arthur looked puzzled for a moment, shrugged, then replied.

"I'll be using a mixture of a small amount of Valium and a drug called ketamine." He then cleaned up the remains of the IV paraphernalia.

"It's a good little cocktail. It's great for pain, and it has the added appeal of occasionally providing a touch of amnesia."

Marissa was aware of ketamine. It was used frequently at the Boston Memorial for dressing changes with burned children. But she wasn't aware of its use in outpatient settings. When she mentioned this to Dr. Arthur, he smiled paternalistic ally

"Been doing a little reading, huh?" he teased. Then he warned:

"Remember, a little knowledge is a dangerous thing. Actually, the outpatient environment is the most common use for the drug." He stared at Marissa.

"My, you do seem a little tense."

"I've been trying to fight it," Marissa admitted.

"I'll give you a hand," Dr. Arthur offered.

"Let's give you a little taste of Valium and ketamine right now." He went to fetch a syringe from the cabinet.

"This biopsy stuff is a piece of cake," he called over his shoulder.