Dropped Pill - Do you give it?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

  1. Do you give a dropped pill

    • 5
      Yes - always
    • 55
      Yes as long as it isn’t the floor
    • 9
      Yes if the patient didn’t see it
    • 53
      No
    • 18
      Other

140 members have participated

New ER to me. I dropped a pill on the computer and didn't want to give it. My preceptor did a fyi and said it was okay to give. I disagree.

ERs clean their own rooms. Computers are frequently missed or not fully wiped down. Those counters get urine and god knows what else on them. People don't wash their hands as well here. I don't think I would take a pill that fell on the computer desk so why should a patient? I get those cups aren't sterile but they are better than a computer where stuff gets put on it. Precautions aren't heavily practiced so who knows what could be passed to patient.

So do you give a pill that dropped on a computer screen?

Specializes in Pedi.

Depends on what the pill is and how important it is.

If it's a seizure medication that's dispensed from the pharmacy that is time sensitive and it's going to take the pharmacy 3 hours to get me another one, yes I'll give it. If it's something in the Pyxis and it's easy to replace, I'll replace it.

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I'd give it. They've probably had dirtier things in their mouth before.

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Specializes in PACU, Stepdown, Trauma.

I wipe down my computer surface before I start the shift and touch the computer (desktop) only with clean hands - so yes, I would give it unless the patient was on neutropenic precautions. I give it unless it hits the floor (then EW).

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New ER to me. I dropped a pill on the computer and didn't want to give it. My preceptor did a fyi and said it was okay to give. I disagree.

ERs clean their own rooms. Computers are frequently missed or not fully wiped down. Those counters get urine and god knows what else on them. People don't wash their hands as well here. I don't think I would take a pill that fell on the computer desk so why should a patient? I get those cups aren't sterile but they are better than a computer where stuff gets put on it. Precautions aren't heavily practiced so who knows what could be passed to patient.

So do you give a pill that dropped on a computer screen?

If you dropped an M&M on that spot, would you eat it? Would you give it to your child? If not, then you have your answer.

I think reality on this one is that most nurses know it is the wrong thing to do, and would only give it if they were sure not to get caught.

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You shouldn't give a pill that's been dropped. It's technically a med error and a new pill should be given.

Can you explain this?

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You mean you never had to learn the 85th right of med admistration? Resting the pill on the right surface. :up:

Nicely done!!

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I wipe my COW down before I start my work. I don't ever put blood samples or urine on my COW because...ew! I clean my hands before I touch my COW. So, yeah. That COW surface is way cleaner than the patient's hands are ever going to be. So if I dropped a pill on my COW surface, I would give it.

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Specializes in Critical Care and ED.

Just be careful....if you do this often you're going to be flagged if you keep digging into the pyxis and taking another pill, even a non-narcotic. Don't make a habit of that.

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Specializes in Peds Homecare.

WOW, I must be part of that crusty old bat thing. I am retired, but I can't believe that any of you would consider giving a dropped pill. What are nursing students being taught? Back in prehistoric times, you'd know the answer without asking. Back to my bat cave, ta ta.

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It depends. I'm pretty diligent about keeping my WOW for the day clean. Dropped on keyboard but it's been hours since I cleaned it? Waste and get a new pill. Relatively recently cleaned? Give it. Many of these don't wash hands after using the toilet/urinal/etc. anyway.

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I always document waste in the Omnicell, even if it's just a colace I dropped (those suckers can bounce!).

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Just be careful....if you do this often you're going to be flagged if you keep digging into the pyxis and taking another pill, even a non-narcotic. Don't make a habit of that.

I always document waste in Omnicell for a dropped med, even if it's just a colace.

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