Administering Tylenol to a friend

[Em31200]

Hi everyone, I'm a second semester nursing student and today in class my professor said something interesting I had never considered. We are learning about medication administration currently and her question was: "Your best friend is at your house and complains of a headache. She asks you for some of your Tylenol. Do you give it to her?" Almost everyone said yes that it was ok because it was your friend, not in your job setting, and she was a consenting adult capable of making her own decision to take the medication. Our professor said that was wrong and that you can't give any medication to your friend because you are not a licensed prescriber and you could lose your license if something happened your friend. She also said that same applies to your own children. So what are you supposed to do if your kid is sick and needs cough medication? You're always accountable if something bad were to happen?

[Pangea Reunited, ASN, RN]

That might be one of the most stupid things I've ever heard. My friend (or child) would get the Tylenol.

[HopefulRN7]

What your instructor may have meant to convey, albeit poorly, was that as a nurse working a shift- a MD order is required for OTC medications such as Tylenol while under medical care.

[ms boogie, BSN, MSN]

Luckily Tylenol does not require a prescription. Therefore, you would not need prescriptive authority. It is sold over the counter. Professor is ignorant to the topic he/she is "teaching". Hope it is not an expensive University.

[klone, MSN, RN]

what a bunch of baloney. right, can't give otc medication to your child.

your instructor is full of beans.

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

Another vote for the ridiculous bs pile. The one place I have drawn the line- I've had patient family members ask for OTC meds from nurses' personal supplies for headaches and such if they're visiting. I won't supply stuff then. But to my coworkers, friends, family- if they ask me for OTC meds and I have them- sure. Unless there's a reason I really don't think they should have them.

[BeachsideRN, ASN]

I think your professor meant of your friend comes over showing you a rash or complaining of symptoms you shouldn't say "oh it's xyz" and "here take this medication to fix it". That could be construed as diagnosing and prescribing.

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

The other day I was bored and looking at the license revocations on my state's BON. The ones who have lost their license have lost it over stuff like stealing controlled substances (not even talking about diverting waste--I'm talking, RN taking bottles of meds from assisted living facility resident's bathroom), sexually abusing minors or vulnerable adults, financial exploitation of vulnerable adults, forging Rx's for controlled substances with a provider's stolen DEA number.

By your instructor's logic, MDs who are parents can't give OTC meds to their children either; only a licensed pharmacist can dispense meds. Lay people who are parents would be in even hotter H2O because they would be practicting medicine AND pharmacy w/o a license.

Your instructor is, to use the technical term, full of it.

Seriously? What does she think nurse-parents do, take their kid to the ED for Tylenol administration for an after-hours headache?

SMH.

[kalycat, BSN, RN]

I successfully raised two children to adulthood, made it to 45, have numerous friends who get headaches and have so far managed to keep my license. I also managed not to lose it before I ever started nursing school.

Your Prof is either highly illogical or sucks at allegory/metaphor. Not sure which. [emoji41]

[dream'n, BSN, RN]

I had a professor tell me once that a nurse could lose her license if she took a pulse oximetry reading on a patient in respiratory distress without an order. I called her out on her BS. Professors like these are the ones that make nursing students terrified of 'losing their licenses' for literally breathing.

[KRVRN, BSN, RN]

I had a professor tell me once that a nurse could lose her license if she took a pulse oximetry reading on a patient in respiratory distress without an order. I called her out on her BS. Professors like these are the ones that make nursing students terrified of 'losing their licenses' for literally breathing.

Checking a pulse ox is what a prudent nurse would do

[BrandonLPN, LPN]

This sounds so ridiculous, I can't help but think that either the professor misspoke or you misheard.

The closest thing I can think of, is maybe she was warning against giving Tylenol to co-workers while on the clock?

Even that is silly. I'll freely admit I've given stock-supply Tylenol, mylanta, etc to CNAs or other nurses on occasion. I don't know a single nurse who hasn't.