Nursing assessment skills are one of the nurse’s most valuable assets. This is the main reason why whenever someone filed a complaint against you involving improper assessment, your license could be put in danger if not defended by a nurse attorney.
At the time of the initial incident, she was employed as an RN at a nursing home in Denton, Texas, and had been in that position for two (2) years and five (5) months.
On or about May 17, 2020, while employed as an RN at a nursing home in Denton, Texas, RN failed to intervene when a patient experienced abnormal vital signs at 0652 of BP 159/91 and HR 109. RN failed to assess the patient’s respiratory status at that time and failed to notify the provider. Additionally, during the shift RN failed to adequately assess the patient when staff reported to her that the patient was experiencing a change in condition. Instead, RN removed the patient’s shirt because he seemed overheated and administered a breathing treatment; RN failed to document any care provided in the patient’s medical record. Subsequently, vital signs were not assessed again until 1745, at which time the patient had a blood pressure of 119/109, heart rate 132, respirations 32/minute, and oxygen saturation 91% on room air; RN failed to administer supplemental oxygen to the patient. The patient was transported to the hospital by EMS and expired due to septic shock. RN’s conduct created an incomplete medical record and may have contributed to the patient’s demise.
In response, RN states she failed to document all interventions.
The above actions constitute grounds for disciplinary action in accordance with Section 301.452(b)(10)&(13), Texas Occupations Code, and is a violation of 22 TEX. ADMIN. CODE §217.11(1)(A),(1)(B),(1)(C),(1)(D),(1)(M),(1)(P)&(3) and 22 TEX. ADMIN. CODE §217.12(1)(A),(1)(B),(1)(C)&(4).
As a result, the Texas Board of Nursing decided to subject her RN license under disciplinary action. It’s too bad that she failed to hire a nurse attorney for assistance, knowing that she had every reason to defend herself in the first place. Her defense would have gotten better if she actually sought legal consultation from a Texas nurse attorney as well.
So, if you’re facing a complaint from the Board, it’s best to seek legal advice first. Texas Nurse Attorney Yong J. An is willing to assist every nurse in need of immediate help for nurse licensing cases. He is an experienced nurse attorney for various licensing cases for 16 years and represented over 150 nurses before the Texas BON. To contact him, please dial (832)-428-5679 for a confidential consultation or for more inquiries.
Jul21R774230MO