In nursing care, precision and adherence to physician orders are of paramount importance, particularly when it comes to medication administration. However, there are unfortunate instances when deviations from these standards occur, raising concerns about patient safety and professional conduct. When nurses find themselves in situations like these, facing allegations or legal concerns related to medication errors, a nurse attorney can offer vital guidance and support. Nurse attorneys can advocate for the nurse’s rights throughout the investigation and any ensuing legal proceedings, ensuring that the nurse is treated fairly and represented effectively. They educate nurses on their legal rights and responsibilities, guiding them in cooperating with investigations.
At the time of the initial incident, she was employed as an RN at a medical facility in Denton, Texas, and had been in that position for two (2) months.
On or about April 2, 2021, while employed as an RN at a medical facility in Denton, Texas, RN incorrectly administered 6 units of rapid acting insulin to a patient for a blood glucose of 96 mg/dL, which was outside of the physician prescribed sliding scale parameters; no insulin dose was indicated for that glucose level. RN’s conduct exposed the patient to a risk of harm in that failure to administer insulin as ordered could have resulted in non-efficacious treatment of the patient’s diabetes, including inducing hypoglycemia.
In response, RN states that it was her fourth week of training on this unit. For this patient, the sliding scale orders said for glucose levels between 101-120 mg/dL, the patient was to have 6 units of insulin. RN states that she and her preceptor accessed the patient’s chart and read the current glucose level of 107 mg/dL. RN states that after she gave the insulin, she checked the medication administration record which reflected the glucose was 96, not 107. RN states that she notified her preceptor, who was also unsure of how that happened, and they reported the medication error and notified the physician. RN adds that she checked the computer charting system and saw that the results could have been displayed either from latest to oldest, or oldest to latest, and the settings had been changed, resulting in the incorrect value showing on her screen.
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)(C)&(1)(M) and 22 TEX. ADMIN. CODE §217.12 (10)(C).
However, without valid evidence to defend her side of the story, the RN lost the case. Furthermore, the RN failed to hire a Texas nurse attorney to help her with her case. Because of this, the Texas Board of Nursing disciplined the RN’s license.
Do not be stressed or anxious if you find yourself in a similar situation as that of the RN mentioned above. All you need to do is to find the right RN/LVN license attorney who can help you in the case. Equip yourself with the knowledge and expertise you need for a successful outcome by consulting a knowledgeable and experienced Texas RN/LVN license attorney. Texas Nurse Attorney Yong J. An is an experienced nurse attorney for various licensing cases for the past 17 years and represented over 500 nurses before the Texas BON. Contact the Law Office of Yong J. An 24/7 through text or call at (832) 428-5679.