question on administering OTC meds

I don't know the legalities. However, I would not give anything to a visitor or anyone for that matter while at work. OTC medications are supposed to be self administered. Questions that come to my mind: you know the visitors health hx? What other medications are they taking? Frequency? Contraindications? Interactions? Allergies?
I have a coworker (RN) who is in liver failure from too much drinking in her younger days. Tylenol would not be a good idea. In my place of work, we are allowed to call the inpt. pharmacy for some OTC medications, but for staff only and self-administer only (you are responsible to what you are taking.) This cuts down on nurses asking co-workers if they have tylenol or motrin. Than way, the person being asked can say: No, I don't have any, but you can call the pharmacy yourself and they'll tube it up for you (for free)
Hope this is helpful
Wayunderpaid

Unless you are an MD or advanced practitioner such as a NP then you cannot administer OTC meds legally at work without an order. You should never give a visitor any medication even something like Tylenol. It also is not good practice to give a coworker medication. You can get in trouble for this but if your company wanted to get technical they could also fire you for "stealing".

But how is it stealing if I give a coworker my a couple Motrin out of my own personal supply that I carry with me? I'm not advocating giving to any and all who ask, but it's not stealing if I give someone something that's mine....

Visitors? No way.

Co-workers? If they ask, I'll give them some of my own advil or tylenol.

At a LTC facility where I once worked, for workers only, there was a stock bottle where one could get their own med, kept in the med room. I also saw nurses allow a CNA to take a dose from the stock bottle which she would make available on the top of her cart. I didn't think this seemed right. I was taught never to touch a nurse's med cart unless it was my own.

What if you are not at work? Example: you are at a social function and someone asks for some tylenol or motrin - is it considered dispensing? Thanks!

At a social event, I have not established a nurse client relationship with anyone so I don't think that it is a problem legally. That being said I don't give anyone any meds of any kind if I don't have a longstanding close (but not necessarily intimate) relationship with them.

Maybe I don't attend enough social events, but I don't get it. I would not ask a stranger for any Rx. Who knows what you're getting or how it was handled. I'd just go to the next gas station. Even if I knew the person I'd prefer to get my own, because most people pour a bunch of tablets in their hand and then put the rest back in the bottle. As far as giving Rx is concerned, I'm fortunate in that I don't have to carry any.

I should have been more clear; I NEVER give any prescription meds to ANYONE. However, I would give Tylenol, Maalox tabs, etc. to a close friend.