Is this Abuse!?

[cna]

I have been a cna for 10 years, I know the answer to my question, but I need feedback before I take any action on this matter.

I have been working in a nursing home for 3 years. One LPN, that I work with insists on everyone of her residents having a large bowel movement every day. We do have a BM reporting system, so bm's are suppose to be recorded everyday. (not that this is always followed threw with)

A laxative is generally given if a person has not had a movement in 3 days. This nurse, is giving approximatly 6 oz of liguid "stuff",

no one is even sure of whats in it, to all the residents . It is a mixture of colase, stool softners, laxitives and I am assuming prune juice, heated up in the microwave. I also know that she purchases some of this on her own to give to these residents. Some residents vomit it back up. Others have stomach cramping and watery stool for about 3-4 days afterwards.

A + O residents are upset, scared and embarrased because they do not know what is happening to them. Some have told me they will not accept their meds from her because she tries to slip in extra pills. I work 12 hour shifts. 7p to 7a. The nurse works 3p-11p, I take care of these residents all night. We are generally short on nights which means I end up with more residents than what is legal. Sometimes 22-24 residents. I am having a hard time providing the proper care for these people when I am up to my elbows in BM. As soon as I clean some one up, they are going again with in 15 minutes. I have resorted to putting briefs on some, which is not what I normally would do, but with out it , I am changing sheets and mopping floors. Dehydration is in question here, not to mention skin break down, the inability for these people to have a BM on their own if she doesnt stop and UTI's. This nurse was warned about doing this 3 months ago, she did slow down. We now have a new DON, who thinks she is a great nurse. I do too ,except for this one problem. The new DON does not like me too much, as crazy as it sounds , its a race thing. I am not the same color that the nurse and DON are.

I dont know what to do. Any suggestions would be a great help to me.

[Lacie, BSN, RN]

If you feel that the employer wont act then check with your BON of your state. Anyone can make a complaint at anytime and they will follow it up. If you feel it is unsafe and abuse then act on it.

[squeakykitty]

..... One LPN, that I work with insists on everyone of her residents having a large bowel movement every day. We do have a BM reporting system, so bm's are suppose to be recorded everyday. (not that this is always followed threw with)

A laxative is generally given if a person has not had a movement in 3 days. This nurse, is giving approximatly 6 oz of liguid "stuff",

no one is even sure of whats in it, to all the residents . It is a mixture of colase, stool softners, laxitives and I am assuming prune juice, heated up in the microwave. I also know that she purchases some of this on her own to give to these residents. Some residents vomit it back up. Others have stomach cramping and watery stool for about 3-4 days afterwards.

A + O residents are upset, scared and embarrased because they do not know what is happening to them. Some have told me they will not accept their meds from her because she tries to slip in extra pills.

I wonder what was in those pills, and whatever happened to this nurse? I don't think they were Dr. ordered or in the MAR. I truly hope she got reported and is not working anywhere else.