RN’s Failure to Address Severe Malnutrition Led to Tragic Outcome

RN's Failure to Address Severe Malnutrition Led to Tragic Outcome

Are you a Family Nurse Practitioner facing allegations before the Texas Board of Nursing? The case highlighted below explains why seeking guidance from a skilled nurse defense attorney is important. Let's dive into the story behind this case and why finding the right nurse defense attorney can make all the difference.

vecteezy_young-img
sm by smartsites March 10, 2024

At the time of the incident, RN was employed as a Family Nurse Practitioner at a medical clinic in Fort Worth, Texas, and had been in that position for eight (8) months.

In the Spring of 2021, while employed as a Family Nurse Practitioner at a medical clinic in Fort Worth, Texas, the RN failed to appropriately intervene when a patient, who had diagnoses including intellectual/developmental disability, presented to the clinic with a weight loss of 12 pounds in two months, weighed 92 pounds and had an underweight BMI of 13.58. Specifically, the RN failed to institute interventions to determine the cause of the underweight condition or address the patient's nutritional status. RN documented that the patient was fairly nourished/well-nourished at three separate clinic visits, including the final visit on April 8, 2021, when the patient weighed 88.9 pounds and had a BMI of 13.13. Subsequently, the patient expired on April 11, 2021, from acute aspiration bronchopneumonia complicated by hydrocephalus, seizure disorder, and malnutrition. RN's conduct resulted in delayed treatment for the patient that was needed to prevent further complications.

The RN responded and did not seek advice from an experienced nurse defense attorney. He stated that there was no increase in weight loss, and the patient gained 2.3 pounds over the three visits with the RN. Furthermore, the RN stated that the patient was accompanied at all visits by his 24/7 caregiver, who expressed no other cares or concerns aside from the issue he was being treated for. He then stated that he had no basis for knowing if the patient had been losing weight prior to his first visit with him on March 28th.

Texas Board of Nursing Disciplinary Action

The above action constitutes 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)(M)&(1)(P) and 22 TEX. ADMIN. CODE §217.12 (1)(A),(1)(B)&(4).

The Texas Board of Nursing gave the RN enough time to defend the complaints filed against him. However, there was a failure on the RN’s part to find the right RN/LVN nurse defense attorney to handle his case. The negligence of the RN/LVN nurse defense attorney led to the decision of the Texas BON to place the RN’s license under disciplinary action.

Contact Us Today For A Free Legal Consultation

When facing allegations from the Texas BON equip yourself with the knowledge and expertise you need for a successful outcome by consulting a knowledgeable and experienced Texas RN/LVN nurse attorney. Texas Nurse Attorney Yong J. An is one of those dedicated nurse defense attorneys who successfully represented over 600 nurses before the board. Contact the Law Office of Yong J. An 24/7 through text or call at (832) 428-5679 for a free legal consultation regarding any accusations from the Texas BON.

Take action now and get the help you deserve.