Ensuring patient safety through meticulous adherence to physician orders and precise medication administration is the cornerstone of nursing practice. However, there are instances when these standards are not met, raising concerns about patient well-being and professional conduct. In situations like these, nurses facing allegations of medication errors or deviations from physician orders can greatly benefit from the expertise and guidance of a nurse attorney. Nurse attorneys are instrumental in assisting nurses in navigating the intricate legal aspects surrounding such incidents. They provide vital support in ensuring a comprehensive and impartial evaluation of the situation.
At the time of the initial incident, she was employed as an LVN at a hospital in College Station, Texas, and had been in that position for two (2) years and five (5) months.
On or about June 15, 2021, while employed as an LVN at a hospital in College Station, Texas, LVN was accused of the following:
- LVN failed to change the Bumex drip rate for a patient from 0.5mg/hr. to 0.25mg/hr., as ordered by the physician at the beginning of her shift. The drip rate was changed by the oncoming shift nurse, approximately 12 hours after it was ordered. LVN’s conduct unnecessarily exposed the patient to a risk of harm from complications associated with diuretics, including dehydration.
- LVN incorrectly administered potassium chloride (KCL) 20mEq/L to the aforementioned-patient over one (1) hour via the central line instead of over two (2) hours, as ordered by the physician. LVN’s conduct was likely to injure the patient in that failing to administer medications as ordered by the physician could result in the patient suffering from adverse reactions.
In response to the above incidents regarding the Bumex drip rate and potassium chloride, LVN states she had 4 patients that day and was extremely busy. LVN admits she forgot to check the orders on this patient as she was focusing on lab draws and KCL replacements. LVN states when she saw the lab result of k+ 3.0 she panicked and failed to clarify the order for replacement for 1 hour instead of 2 hours.
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) and 22 TEX. ADMIN. CODE §217.12 (1)(A),(1)(B),(1)(C),(4),(6)(A)&(6)(H).
As a result, the Texas Board of Nursing decided to place her LVN 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 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 the past 17 years and represented over 500 nurses before the Texas BON. To contact him, please dial (832)-428-5679 for a confidential consultation or for more inquiries.