by Danielle

I'm graduating from an ADN program this May and have recently heard a lot of information on when nurses should sign out their medications. Some say that the nurse should sign out the medication and then attempt to give it. If the patient refuses you go back and circle it. This would prevent a patient from accidentally being overdosed. Others say you should attempt to give the medication and then sign it out. What do you guys think? Thanks, Danielle

Definately do not sign it out until it is given. If you sign out ahead of time, it is falsifying charting. What if you signed it out and went in to give it to the patient and he/she was dead?

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nurseyperson