Positive Urine Drug Sceen-Please Read

Nurses General Nursing

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I have been in the nursing field for ten years. I recently was off work on a medical leave. When I returned to work I had to submit to a mandatory urine drug screen, which I willingly did of course. I recieved a phone call around 2 weeks later from the MRO (Medical Review Officer) who informed me that my test results were in and that I had a positive urine drug screen. I was shocked!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He then went on to inform me that it was benzodiazipines and that I neede to provide legal proof for the positve test. He said he needed a letter from a physician that I had been prescribed a medication with this classification. I could not account for any med that I would have taken in this category. I then remembered that I had went for a colonoscopy on March 27th and I was given Versed/Midazalom, I quickly had my physician fax the proof to them (Occupational Health). A couple days later the MRO called me back and told me that the medications I recieved during the colonoscopy could not be the culprit for my positive test, as it had been too long since the colonoscopy was performed (27 days). He reported my positive drug screen to my employer, who now wants to have a formal meeting with me tomorrow (May 20th at noon). I am so worried and I am totally inicent. I guess from what my boss says I may end up suspended for three days or more without pay pending there investigation into this and I will be retested. Anyone ever been through anything similar? Is there any kind of legal advice out there for me??????????????? :crying2:

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Specializes in tele, stepdown/PCU, med/surg.
I have been in the nursing field for ten years. I recently was off work on a medical leave. When I returned to work I had to submit to a mandatory urine drug screen, which I willingly did of course. I recieved a phone call around 2 weeks later from the MRO (Medical Review Officer) who informed me that my test results were in and that I had a positive urine drug screen. I was shocked!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (27 days).:

You said that the procedure was before. Is he counting from the procedure date? Benzos should be undetectable 10 days out. They didn't by chance take a hair sample...did they? If he's sure it's benzos, do you take any sleep meds or antianxiety?

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Do you take any type of medication at all? For anything?

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Do you take any type of medication at all? For anything?

Yes I take Effexor XR and I take Deseryl that is all they are antidepressants.I do not take any thing else except over the counter stuff for headaches and I do occaisionally take bentyl for my stomach. I certainally do not take or use any illegal or non prescribed drugs.

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Also be aware that some foods can give positive drug screen results, that is why I am asking.........Have you discussed this with your physician?

A simple easy one is poppy seed bagels can give a positive for cocaine.

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It was a benzodiazipine though. I used to do drug testing years ago as a medical assisstant so I remember some of that stuff. Do you know of any websites which may have information on this????? What area do you work in?

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I can't think of any reason you would have come up positive for BZs. Maybe you eat a ton of bananas? They have trace amounts of diazepam in them, but seriously it wouldn't show on a drug screen. There must be some COC issue, or you somehow got a false-positive. Ibuprofen can actually give a false positive for THC with some of the cheaper tests. I'll look around, but I have no knowledge off hand.

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Oxaprozin (Daypro) can cause a BZ false-positive. http://www.clinchem.org/cgi/content/full/43/9/1659

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Specializes in Trauma acute surgery, surgical ICU, PACU.

Ask your doctor about what could have caused the positive drug screen result. Then if you are being faced with disciplinary action for doing nothing wrong, I'd suggest conacting a lawyer in your area....

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I have been in the nursing field for ten years. I recently was off work on a medical leave. When I returned to work I had to submit to a mandatory urine drug screen, which I willingly did of course. I recieved a phone call around 2 weeks later from the MRO (Medical Review Officer) who informed me that my test results were in and that I had a positive urine drug screen. I was shocked!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He then went on to inform me that it was benzodiazipines and that I neede to provide legal proof for the positve test. He said he needed a letter from a physician that I had been prescribed a medication with this classification. I could not account for any med that I would have taken in this category. I then remembered that I had went for a colonoscopy on March 27th and I was given Versed/Midazalom, I quickly had my physician fax the proof to them (Occupational Health). A couple days later the MRO called me back and told me that the medications I recieved during the colonoscopy could not be the culprit for my positive test, as it had been too long since the colonoscopy was performed (27 days). He reported my positive drug screen to my employer, who now wants to have a formal meeting with me tomorrow (May 20th at noon). I am so worried and I am totally inicent. I guess from what my boss says I may end up suspended for three days or more without pay pending there investigation into this and I will be retested. Anyone ever been through anything similar? Is there any kind of legal advice out there for me??????????????? :crying2:

I would consult a pharmacist you know and trust, and ask them what could have caused this. It has been my experience that Pharmacists know far more than MD's when it comes to meds. Good luck to you!

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While we are on this subject I'm going to ask a question too.

I have to get a 5 panel drug screen as part of my physical before my school starts. I take Ativan daily (1 mg up to 3 times daily) is this going to cause problems with me getting into school or working as a nurse.

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While we are on this subject I'm going to ask a question too.

I have to get a 5 panel drug screen as part of my physical before my school starts. I take Ativan daily (1 mg up to 3 times daily) is this going to cause problems with me getting into school or working as a nurse.

You should be able to claim any meds you're taking. Just be sure to have the prescription to go along with them.

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