can a nurse refuse to give vaginal cream to a patient?

[Ms.RN]

I have a patient whose been complaining of itching and burning in lady parts area. So doctor prescribed a lady partsl cream for her but the problem is a nurse that has her is refusing to administer it to her. She says "This patient is competent to be able to insert lady partsl cream by herself" Yes, this patient is able to do it herself but she asked a nurse to do it for her, but this nurse is still refusing. Can a nurse refuse to do it or is she being very unprofessional?

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

I wonder what is the pt's reasoning for refusing do to it herself. Assuming the nurse has educated her on how to administer the medication, I would think most able bodied female pts would prefer to do that sort of stuff themselves (I know I would!). I wonder what this pt would do if she was at home?

[southernbeegirl, BSN, RN]

IMO, flat out, No she can't refuse to do it. There is an order from the doc for the cream. It makes no difference if the pt can do it herself or not. if the pt can't/won't do it then she has to do it.

i dont like to write people up and rarely do it. but unless this nurse has a darned good reason for refusing an order by the doc..i think i'd have to write her up over this one.

i've worked with some nurses that sound like this. it's like they are on a power trip over the pts and think they can order the pts around. not saying thats what she's doing, it just made me think of those type nurses.

but yep...i'd have a stern talk with her, with a witness present, and let her know in no uncertain terms that she WILL give the med.

how lazy can you be?

[NurseyBaby'05, BSN, RN]

Part of a nurse's job is to encourage the pt to do as much for himself as possible. We're not there to wait on them hand and foot. There is no reason for this patient to not be administering something in her lady parts herself if she is able. Also, there are a lot of freaks, weirdos, choose your favorite descriptive word here who get off on that kind of thing.

Write me up. I wouldn't do it either.

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

Part of a nurse's job is to encourage the pt to do as much for himself as possible. We're not there to wait on them hand and foot. There is no reason for this patient to not be administering something in her lady parts herself if she is able. Also, there are a lot of freaks, weirdos, choose your favorite descriptive word here who get off on that kind of thing.

Write me up. I wouldn't do it either.

Exactly. What is this pt planning on doing when she gets discharged?

[southernbeegirl, BSN, RN]

wow, okey dokey then....

[FireStarterRN, BSN, RN]

I say, if a pt can do perineal care themselves, it's their responsiblity. No different than a man who insists on having the nurse place his urinal. People will use things like this to get a kick, lets face it.

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

IMO, flat out, No she can't refuse to do it. There is an order from the doc for the cream. It makes no difference if the pt can do it herself or not. if the pt can't/won't do it then she has to do it.

i dont like to write people up and rarely do it. but unless this nurse has a darned good reason for refusing an order by the doc..i think i'd have to write her up over this one.

i've worked with some nurses that sound like this. it's like they are on a power trip over the pts and think they can order the pts around. not saying thats what she's doing, it just made me think of those type nurses.

but yep...i'd have a stern talk with her, with a witness present, and let her know in no uncertain terms that she WILL give the med.

how lazy can you be?

So you would force her to administer this med to an able bodied pt?! I would not do it. I would provide the pt with proper instruction on administration, but assuming she was able bodied, I would not administer.

[NurseyBaby'05, BSN, RN]

Exactly. What is this pt planning on doing when she gets discharged?

Post an ad on Craigslist. I'm sure she'll find some takers. :rotfl:

[TiredMD]

If I might make a suggestion:

Call the physician and explain the situation. lady partsl itching is not exactly a life-threatening condition. If the patient is as able-bodied as it sounds, I would have no problem telling the patient, "Look, either you can put the medicine in yourself, or you can scratch yourself, but either way you're the only person who's going to be poking around down there."

On the other hand, if there's any physical infirmity that is impairing the patient, obviously the RN should just suck it up and do it himself/herself.

[Straydandelion]

I would talk to the Doc and get an order to "teach patient how to apply lady partsl cream" ..if there is a problem with the patient applying, get a different cream with an applicator if need to. I would talk to the patient and ask her how she would do it when she got home, getting her to show me..as a teaching role and also discuss why it is ordered. Push comes to shove however it IS our responsibility to make sure patients get their medicines as long as they are our patients and in the hospital.

[southernbeegirl, BSN, RN]

So you would force her to administer this med to an able bodied pt?! I would not do it. I would provide the pt with proper instruction on administration, but assuming she was able bodied, I would not administer.

IMO, it wouldnt be forcing her to do it. It would be requiring her to perform her job duties. Regardless of whether the pt can do it or not, unless there is something careplanned concerning some adverse behavior (and we've all seen it), then, IMO, the nurse has no choice but to do it. otherwise, it will leave an untreated infection.

first though, i would have a talk with the pt and find out the why of why she wont do it herself. then i would talk with the nurse about the why of why she is adamantly refusing to do so.

heck, if nothing else, i'd just do it myself.