Clarification help?

Nurses Medications

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Cardiology..

Chemical restraints vs prns?

Prns such as Ativan for agitation.

The definition of chemical restrains goes along the lines of can't be used aside for the use of a diagnoses.

Agitation would be considered a diagnosis, yet I had a pt tonight screaming in her room and was highly agitated. I asked the med aide to give her a prn Ativan and she said "that's a chemical restraint"

???

It's ordered as needed per physician order!

Please advise :-)

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Cardiology..

Bump :-)

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

PRN ativan for agitation and patient is agitated, screaming, distressed = appropriate use

PRN Ativan for agitation and patient is insomniac walking around but nurse is agitated and wants patient in bed = chemical restraint

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Cardiology..

Thank you :-)!

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Since you seem to be a CNA , defer to the supervising licensed nurse. Many facilities do not permit med aides to admin PRN meds for agitation, etc as an assessment is needed to determine if appropriate or another issue is underlying.

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