RN lied.. will I get into trouble?

[JDZ344]

So I had this patient who was pretty sick. I did his vitals, his ox. sats were low. I informed the RN, and I checked them again a little later- still the same. Informed RN again.

Anyway, later, after the doctor asked the charge why he wasn't informed of the pt's condition, and charge asked the RN, she said that I had not told her and she was not aware!! I told her at least TWICE!

Do you think I will be in trouble for this?

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

Do you chart them anywhere?

I don't think you'll get in trouble. Delegated or not it is the RN's job to pay attention. I think she was throwing you under the bus to salvage her relationship with the doc.

I'm sorry.

[kathy48]

always document RN informed or reported to nursing supervisor with time and date

[CoffeemateCNA]

Yucky.

Care given to patients/residents is ultimately the nurse's responsibility. I have been told by many nurses "It may be YOUR fault, but it is MY responsibility." She should have stayed informed on her patient's condition better.

I think you will be absolutely fine with the situation. Don't worry.

At least now you know this nurse is going to react when it's her butt on the line. My advice: CYA. Instead of verbally reporting VS, write a separate copy and personally hand it in to her. I always hand VS directly to my nurses and make them acknowledge that they have received them.

In fact, with some nurses, I even have myself AND them initial the sheet of VS and write the time and date it was received when turning them in. I want there to be NO discrepancies or childish crap pulled. :) No more of them whining "Well, I didn't know that so-and-so's BP was so low."

If you have the authority to chart in the resident's narrative or flow chart, then document the VS yourself and state that "J. Doe, RN was notified at 1300" or something along those lines.

Protect yourself.