Patient safety and meticulous adherence to established protocols are paramount in nursing practice. Medication administration, in particular, demands unwavering precision and adherence to physician orders to prevent any potential harm to patients. When deviations from these fundamental standards occur, serious consequences can follow, raising concerns about patient well-being and the nurse’s competence. In situations as complex and legally sensitive as this, the guidance and expertise of a nurse attorney become indispensable. Throughout any legal proceedings or investigations stemming from this incident, the nurse attorney will vigorously advocate for and safeguard the RN’s legal rights.
At the time of the incident, she was employed as an RN at a hospital in Georgetown, Texas, and had been in that position for five (5) years and six (6) months.
On or about February 10, 2021, while employed as an RN at a hospital in Georgetown, Texas, RN administered Codeine (Tylenol #2) and Clonazepam (Klonopin) to a patient without a valid physician’s order. The medications were prepared by a different nurse and belonged to a different patient. The patient had a documented allergy to Codeine and required transfer to the hospital when he experienced lethargy, decreased heart rate, and decreased oxygen saturation. RN’s conduct was likely to injure the patient from adverse effects of drug interactions and an anaphylactic reaction.
In response, the RN stated when she went to get Zyprexa for the patient’s agitation, another nurse asked the RN to include the patient’s routine medication in with the Zyprexa that the RN was crushing. RN agreed and added those medications from the other nurse to what RN was administering. After the RN administered the medications, the other nurse notified the RN those medications, Tylenol #2 and Clonazepam (Klonopin), were not prescribed to that patient. All these were independently given by the RN without even consulting from Texas nurse attorney.
The above actions constitute grounds for disciplinary action in accordance with Section 301.452(b)(13) Texas Occupations Code and is a violation of 22 TEX ADMIN. CODE §217.11(1)(A),(1)(B),(1)(C)&(1)(M).
Unfortunately, the Texas Board of Nursing found her guilty of her deeds. Her RN license was subjected to disciplinary action. She did not hire a skilled Texas BON attorney to fully defend her case which led to the decision by the Texas Board of Nursing.
Make sure that you will not make the same mistake as the RN mentioned above in her case before the Texas Board of Nursing (BON). Contact a Texas nurse defense attorney today who can provide you with a confidential consultation evaluate your case and counsel you on the best steps to take. Texas Nurse Attorney Yong J. An is an experienced nurse attorney for various licensing cases for 18 years and represented over 600 nurses before the Texas BON. Contact Mr. An by calling or texting him 24/7 directly at (832) 428-5679.