I just started my first job as a nurse at a nursing home dementia unit. The other nurses who have oriented me to the unit give 3 shots of whiskey to a patient after dinner. He also gets HTN meds, namenda, airesept and tylenol before dinner. The family supplies the alcohol for him and he is addement about having it after he eats or he gets very agitated. My question is I start on my own on monday and Im not sure this is a legal practice. Im concerned about my license.
Another quick question, they give all meds 4-8 meds at the same time, around 5-6. Is this normal practice? I was taught in nursing school to only give if its an hour before or after, the other nurses say theres not enough time to do 2 med passes. Which is true, however the supervisors think they are doing 2 med passes.
LOL! I thought it was interesting that a resident in LTC during my LPN exit had an order for 2 beers in the evenings PRN! But, hey why not? He had the right to live as he wanted in his home. Other residents get to go out on the patio to smoke. Sadly, he passed about 7-10 days after I cared for him.
Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.
I already have my care plan written in case I ever have to go to a nursing home. It states: Wine ad lib after 5PM. My HCP has promised to make this happen. Cheers!!
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Has anyone ever gotten wine with the celebration diner after you have a baby??
I did and it was wonderful!!!!
As long as there is an order it is considered a medicine and if you are licensed to administer meds you are licensed to administer that med. Many years ago we gave alcohol drips for detox, alcohol was administered to stop preterm labor. Alcohol is still the treatment for ethylene glycol and methanol poisoning.
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
I already have my care plan written in case I ever have to go to a nursing home. It states: Wine ad lib after 5PM. My HCP has promised to make this happen. Cheers!!
Yes, you can give alcohol to a nursing home resident with a Dr order.
I was only 19 when I became an LPN. I had a LOL with an order for one ounce of wine at bedtime. I was a little worried at the time that it was illegal for ME to serve it to her since I was technically underage.
As far as giving the meds all together: If they can really all be given together then just get an order to change the times of the meds and legally give them all together. As a supervisor it always worries me that some fool is giving an Ambien at 6pm along with all their other meds - or something similar (and trust me - I have seen it. Some just don't get it).
If the person is being put to bed right after dinner (as many LTC residents are) giving a 'bedtime' med at 6pm is perfectly rational but it does need to be care planned that way.
If the person is being put to bed right after dinner (as many LTC residents are) giving a 'bedtime' med at 6pm is perfectly rational but it does need to be care planned that way.
Sorry, I disagree. I would never support giving an Ambien to someone at 6pm...1. They have not even attempted to fall asleep. 2. Would a pain pill help them be more comfortable if they need something after being up all day? 3. Gee, I wonder why we have so many falls at 2-3am when they wake up and are still groggy.
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
we still do etoh drips -- or we give beer to the patient who is able to take pos. i'd much rather give a beer that has come up labeled from pharmacy than to have to mix a hot toddy every evening for a demanding old biddy in the med surg unit. i had to do that years ago, and every night she complained about my bartending skills.
I work in a hospital as we do serve alcohol as long as there is an order.It's not like they are getting plastered every day, just a shot oafter dinner usually. One patient I have currently gets a shot of the finest brandy, brought in by his son.
Where I work we must have a dr's order to give alcohol. We had patients in the past get alcohol. As long as the dr is aware and says its ok there is no reason to worry about your license.
.thumb.gif.a0171653eaae518ecf728198d692fc48.gif){kind=avatar}
RainMom
1,117 Posts
LOL! I thought it was interesting that a resident in LTC during my LPN exit had an order for 2 beers in the evenings PRN! But, hey why not? He had the right to live as he wanted in his home. Other residents get to go out on the patio to smoke. Sadly, he passed about 7-10 days after I cared for him.