Overdose can be accidental or intentional. An overdose occurs when a person or a patient takes more than the medically prescribed dose. In nursing care, it is the duty of the assigned nurse to see to it that the administered medication correctly coincides with the physician’s order of dosage. But if an RN neglected such duty or made a mistake during her or his shift, a patient’s life will be at risk. And if an RN is accused and being summoned by the Board, a nurse attorney will be such a great help on the case.
An incident happened on or about January 10, 2020, through January 11, 2020, when an RN was employed as a Registered Nurse at a hospital in Georgetown, Texas, and had been in that position for one (1) year and ten (10) months.
The RN administered Fentanyl to a patient in excess of the physician-ordered titration rate and max rate. The patient had a physician’s order to titrate the Fentanyl by 1meg/kg/hr every 30 minutes with a max rate of 10mcg/kg/hr. The RN increased the rate from 5meg/kg/hr to 12meg/kg/hr in just under an hour and increased again to 14meg/kg/hr five minutes later. The patient was found unresponsive by the oncoming shift nurse. The conduct of the RN unnecessarily exposed the patient to a risk of harm from complications associated with overdose and contributed to the patient’s subsequent change in condition.
In response, the RN states that the patient was agitated and restless throughout her shift. The RN claims she wholeheartedly believed she knew the max dose of the fentanyl continuous infusion to be 15mcg/kg/hr and read the same when she glanced at the label on the fentanyl bag.
The above action of the RN was grounds to violation wherein the evidence received is sufficient cause pursuant to Section 301.452(b)(10)&(13), Texas Occupations Code, and to take disciplinary action against Registered Nurse as decided by the Board.
The RN failed to hire a nurse attorney for the defense regarding the accusation laid against her. If only she had hired a nurse attorney, the result would have been different.
Do you have questions about the Texas Board of Nursing disciplinary process? Contact The Law Office of RN License Attorney Yong J. An for a confidential consultation by calling or texting 24/7 at (832) 428-5679 and ask for attorney Yong.