Failed breathalyzer

aprilmoss · May 27, 2018

Alcohol itself doesn't smell. However, the metabolites do have a definite odor. It's been years since I was an ER nurse, but boy you could smell it without difficulty. There could be other reasons for the smell, but the blood alcohol test confirms that it really was this.

GeneralizedConfusion · May 27, 2018

If she blew a .05 10 hours after her last drink 10 hours prior then yes the smell of alcohol will absolutely still be there even at a .05

Edit: if her BAC was .05 10 hours later then that means she was likely extremely intoxicated. So yes she'd still smell of it.

You need to revisit the way the body metabolizes alcohol and the residual effects of it.

mimifromtx · May 28, 2018

This forum is for nurses in recovery, and those who are seeking assistance due to recovery or other substance abuse issues. While I'm sure you feel like you were providing an "honest" reply, the comments about "smelling something other than alcohol...etc" were really unnecessary. The OP KNOWS they have a problem, and is looking to find guidance from those who have been in similar situations. I really hope those who have decided to provide snarky comments never find themselves in the position of having to explain any type of issue to their respective BON's. Because weather you like it or not, nurses are PEOPLE, and have parties, use alcohol, some use substances....but many do it on their own time and get caught up in monitoring for other reasons than patient endangerment. AND unfortunately, we sometimes have used poor judgement and get reported or fired because of substance use AND/OR mental health issues (GUESS WHAT...although mental health issues should be protected, you won't get out of monitoring so good luck explaining why you're on Zoloft!). However, I hope none of you who decided to be *********'s with your mean comments ever has to report that you even have received treatment for depression (because like it or not, that will get you forced into a monitoring program as well), or have a mean spirited person who might decide to **** you and report you to the board, because that happens all too often as well. And once you get caught up in the machinery of the BON/Recovery, there is NO getting out of the problem. So all I have to say is GOOD DAY SIR (or MADAM), and I hope you don't find your own self in this predicament.

Serhilda, ADN, RN · May 28, 2018

No one has said anything disrespectful, but people certainly won't take kindly to deception (as people have suspected of the OP) or someone choosing to put their patients at risk with their impairment. Most of us won't be in that predicament since it's generally common sense to avoid coming to work under the influence. This isn't happening like bad weather here.

Persephone Paige, ADN · May 28, 2018

Dear God, alcohol was never my thing but reading this scares me.

I do remember my step-daughter reeking of alcohol after a couple days of partying. She was very sober when we confronted her, but still she smelled. It was coming out of her pores or something.

I get drugs. I get why there's an outcry and concern regarding drug use in medical professionals, because it implies that the nurse is partaking in illegal activities ( even if it's on their own time ). But alcohol is legal. Yes, it's intoxicating! But to test someone because they smell, when they aren't obviously intoxicated or taking care of patients?

My guess it's because OP showed up on hospital grounds, looking like a nurse and smelling like alcohol.

I think people who ingest Curry smell horrible and should be banned from hospital property. I would puke if forced to smell it.

Even if I weren't in monitoring, I would be scared ******** to ever take a drink. The sniff patrol...

mimifromtx · May 28, 2018

Again, this forum is for those who have found themselves in the unfortunate position of substance abuse. I feel like the OP was reaching out to those of us who have found ourselves in this bad situation. I'm sure the OP knows they have an issue that needs to be dealt with. And as nurses we all know that we take care of ourselves last. Mean spirited comments are of no use, and we don't know that the OP even "put patients at risk"...and again, as my previous post stated, I certainly hope you never find yourself on the wrong side of the BON. No this isn't "happening like bad weather" but any transgression can land you in monitoring or force you to defend your license. I'm sooooo GLAD you are above the fray that you aren't worried you might also have a problem at some point.

mimifromtx · May 28, 2018

YESS Persephone!! I really think that those of us in recovery really need to guide those seeking assistance. Weather it be from opiates, booze, or curry!!! LOL! And alcohol is legal, and there are so many times that I have been at a meeting sponsored by a pharmaceutical company that everyone was drinking (which is why I don't attend those any more), and everyone showed up to work the next day hung over...including the nurse manager, the DON, and multiple physicians. So I'M SURE they all smelled of booze!!

broughden · May 28, 2018

Mimi,

No one has made any mean comments.

Some have questioned how truthful her story is. Others asked if she had just gotten off shift and if she had been intoxicated on shift, since she stated the drinking had occurred ten hours prior.

Secondly, for clarification's sake:

have a mean spirited person who might decide to **** you and report you to the board

To my knowledge every single state BON of nursing in the country has a written requirement that if a licensee is seen using non-prescribed or illegal substances, or comes up hot on a employer directed urinalysis they are to be reported to the BON.

So if you're reported it wasnt because someone was "mean spirited" or "****** you" it was because they were following the rules.

The person using is responsible for what happened, not the person who reported them.

mimifromtx · May 28, 2018

Well, technically you may be correct with respect to the BON requirements...however that doesn't necessarily hold water for the individual state monitoring programs. Monitoring programs are almost as bad as finding yourself in front of the BON. I personally ended up in monitoring due to a "concerned family member" who thought any alcohol use was an abomination against GOD. I never showed up to work after drinking, drank during work, or put my patients at risk. But this family member reported me to the state monitoring program because they were "concerned" my off hours alcohol consumption was "risky". So after a $4000 evaluation which showed I had no reason to be in this program, I'm still stuck with a 5 year program of $55-100 pee test 2 to 3 times a month. So again, I hope you never find yourself in this situation.

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · May 28, 2018

People don't suddenly 'find themselves' in these situations. They place themselves there.

I am not unsympathetic to the plight of those in the grips of addiction. I lost a nephew to it. He was my sister's only child and it destroyed her. We 100% need more access to treatment and more options in this country.

But it starts with bad decision-making. Owning the problem and not deflecting that responsibility is the beginning of recovery.

Wiggly Litchi · May 28, 2018

Weather it be from opiates, booze, or curry!!! LOL!

I would love to see a 12-step program for masala addiction.

Serious question about this though:

(GUESS WHAT...although mental health issues should be protected, you won't get out of monitoring so good luck explaining why you're on Zoloft!).

So basically, if you get dx'd with depression and need meds to help control it, that's reportable to the BON? Sorry for the question, I'm a total newb and I'm trying to learn as a I go.

Rock on everyone

DannyBoy8, RN · May 28, 2018

Best of luck with the road ahead. Get help if you're addicted. If this was more of a youthful indiscretion, take whatever steps you can to be a more mature nurse and avoid situations like this (new friends, new roommates, etc.).