"The colonoscopy experience"

Three days of prep were arduous especially the last day and night before the procedure. The cleansing drinks tasted dreadful and made me nauseous. Was very difficult to go 24 hours on  clear fluids only. I felt very weak and spaced out on morning of admission. However I accept it all as necessary. 

My admission process experience has always great at this hospital but this time I encountered an admissions nurse who I think needs training in interpersonal skills. They were in a hurry I guess. I felt they lacked warmth and was quite curt towards me. All that is fine as I understand they're under pressure.

However I felt stressed when they asked me about allergies and I couldn't remember the name of an antibiotic I have a bad reaction to. I recall the nurse seemed surprised I couldn't remember and kept asking me, and being extremely tired and washed out, I was placing my hands on my head, as a gesture I was trying to think, but under pressure my mind went blank. I recall that they then looked at me and said, are you normally as confused as this? I was very taken aback as although tired with a headache I still felt perfectly clear mentally. I replied "No I'm not confused, I've just forgotten the name of an antibiotic." I recall the nurse then said, well what is the name - can you remember it? My reply was that no, at the moment I can't. They then replied, yes, so are you normally this confused? I replied that I don't feel confused at all, and when I remember the name of it would let them know, but in the mean time I did know it is a type of penicillin. Subsequently I remembered the correct name and gave it to them.

I feel that this nurse saw that my age is 75 and seemingly took great relish in interrogating me and trying to label me as a confused (demented) old person. Fortunately I didn't react and stayed calm, maintaining that I was in no way confused.

I think that no one should be arbitrarily labelled as confused in a situation like this, and age should not be used to categorise in this way.  I found it upsetting, demeaning and I felt discriminated against. I don't want to make a formal complaint. Everything else about my admission and procedure was excellent. I just had bad luck encountering this nurse, who I think needs to do some work on their awareness and no doubt was having their own issues on the day. Just wanted to share what it feels like being on the receiving end of seemingly thoughtless words!