Administering Tylenol to a friend

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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?

Specializes in Medsurg/ICU, Mental Health, Home Health.
Sort of. I started a diet this week..well, until someone suggested Rumchata and Caramel Baileys.

Don't forget the Patron XO!

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Specializes in Medsurg/ICU, Mental Health, Home Health.
I reported the whole thing to the BON and my dean, and no one lost their license or anything. I wasn't even kicked out of the program. It was a close call, hopefully we all learned our lesson!

Wait, why did you report it to the BON? I'm confused.

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Wait, why did you report it to the BON? I'm confused.

I'm hoping cayenne was being sarcastic.

:nailbiting:

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Maybe your instructor should stop smoking crack

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Interestingly enough, that professor isn't the only one to act that way. Back in high school I had a friends mom, an RN at a hospital nearby, refuse to give me some ibuprofen during a terrible bout of cramps because she could "lose her license" if "someone" found out. The pain was so bad I couldn't walk home and had to ask for a ride from someone else. The mom wouldn't even let the daughter take the ibuprofen from her purse and then give me some. I held a bit of a grudge against her mom for the rest of the season.

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Interestingly enough, that professor isn't the only one to act that way. Back in high school I had a friends mom, an RN at a hospital nearby, refuse to give me some ibuprofen during a terrible bout of cramps because she could "lose her license" if "someone" found out. The pain was so bad I couldn't walk home and had to ask for a ride from someone else. The mom wouldn't even let the daughter take the ibuprofen from her purse and then give me some. I held a bit of a grudge against her mom for the rest of the season.

I don't know that I would give anything to someone else's kid without permission.

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Specializes in critical care.
So... A paper cut isn't grounds for an ER visit...?

It is if the pain is a 12/10 and you're allergic to all NSAIDs and opiates except dilaudid.

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Specializes in critical care.
It only takes one time too many to develop an allergy. I can't run that risk.

Well, if you think about it, first time, develop the allergy. Second time, have an allergic reaction. If they promise they've never, ever, ever had it before, you're good.

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Specializes in critical care.

Now I have a headache- do you have a Tylenol?

I'll need a head CT with contrast first.

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Specializes in critical care.
That brings up MY point...all of you Tylenol pushers - have you drawn LFTs on your friends?

No. Eff the liver. You've got two of them anyway.

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Specializes in critical care.

If you give me tequila or vodka, I will not only be the most interesting person you have ever met, I will be the best singer and dancer, too.

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Specializes in ER, ICU/CCU, Open Heart OR Recovery, Etc.

Sounds like bs to me.

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