If you are new to the nursing industry or are currently a long-time registered nurse in Texas, it is sensible to familiarize yourself with the reasons for disciplinary action by the Texas BON for certain practices.
The primary responsibility of a registered nurse in Texas is to focus on the safety and well-being of the patient.
The RN is held accountable for providing safe, compassionate, caring, and complete nursing care to patients in accordance with the patients’ healthcare needs.
Take this case study as an example of what to not do. A nurse in Texas administered the wrong dosage of Dilaudid to the patient. As a result, this could cause the patient to suffer respiratory depression.
In another incident, the same nurse failed to administer intravenous (IV) antibiotics to another patient using the patient’s (PICC) line and instead incorrectly administered the antibiotic via an IV line that was used to administer IV ProcalAmine. The nurse’s actions were likely to injure the patient due to adverse reaction by reactions to chemically altered medications.
In a separate incident, the same nurse failed to ensure that a potassium blood level test that was ordered for the patient was obtained. The threat to the patient in this instance was that the patient could be untreated for the undetected potassium level potentially causing harm to the patient.
Yet another incident entailed failure to respond in a timely manner when alarms sounded from the BiPap machine of the patient. The patient’s blood oxygen level was significantly dropping. While the nurse remained at the nurse’s station and ignored the alarm, a respiratory therapist heard the alarm and responded to the patient’s room. This caused the patient to suffer hypoxic respiratory failure and the patient passed away the next day.
If you have questions about other types of cases that have yielded disciplinary action for Texas nurses, it is best to contact the Texas Board of Nursing for more information or check out our website for more information.
Texas Nursing Law Attorney Can Provide Legal Guidance
In the event that you are facing disciplinary action for your actions while practicing in the nursing industry, it is advisable to consult a Texas Nursing Law Attorney today for a confidential consultation by calling or texting attorney Yong J. An at (832) 428-5679.