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A controlled substance is a drug that is tightly controlled or regulated by the Controlled Substance Act because for the reason that it can be abused or even caused addiction. If such a drug is administered incorrectly without a valid order from a physician, great harm to a patient can happen. The LVN will be held accountable for it. If such a mistake happens, you should always consider having a nurse attorney for the defense.

At the time of the incident, the LVN was employed at a hospital in Amarillo, Texas, and had been in that position for four (4) months.

It was on or about December 13, 2018, when the LVN received a verbal order for Ativan 8mg from an individual he believed to be a doctor but was actually a patient, and subsequently administered the 8mg of Ativan to the patient without a valid physician’s order. The RN’s conduct was likely to injure the patient in that the administration of a controlled substance without a valid physician’s order could result in the patient suffering from adverse reactions.

As a response to the incident, the LVN states on the date in question, he was floated to a different unit and he was unfamiliar with the clients. He also states that he had to rely on permanent staff to help identify the clients for medication administration. The LVN states that at around noon, a code was called in the Day Room, where a female was crying, screaming, and threatening staff. The LVN states he was approached by a “smartly dressed, well-groomed mid-aged woman” who introduced herself as a doctor and told the LVN “The only thing that is going to help my client is some Ativan. I want you to give her 8 milligrams of Ativan PO. I realize that’s a lot but she’s a junkie and that’s a safe dose for her.” The LVN states he had the woman repeat the dose to him three times and received the appropriate response each time. He states he then went to the medication room, retrieved 8 mg of Ativan, and successfully administered it to the woman’s requested patient. The LVN added that while monitoring the patient who received the medication, he was confronted by a staff member and asked how much he had given and who had given the order so that the incident report could be completed. The LVN states he responded that he did not know the doctor’s name and identified the woman who ordered the medication. The LVN states he was told at this time that the woman was a patient and had done this kind of thing before. He also states that he had not been warned of this possibility or the risk the patient posed. And he adds that he learned the next day that the patient who received the medication suffered no ill effect from the dose.

As a result of the above-mentioned incident, the LVN is facing disciplinary action from the Board. Due to the evidence received by the Texas Board of Nursing against the LVN, it is therefore agreed and ordered that the LVN shall be sanctioned in accordance with the terms of the order.

The LVN could have received a different ending result if he had consulted and ask assistance from a nurse attorney. But he failed to hire a nurse attorney that has led to the decision of the Board.

Regarding a case or complaint filed on you, you should hire a nurse attorney immediately before it’s too late. Texas nurse attorney Yong J. An is one of those dedicated nurse lawyers who helped various nurses in their cases since 2006. You may contact him 24/7 at (832) 428-5679 for more information or if you want to schedule a private consultation.