dropped pill

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by RN always
Nov 12, '02   Views: 5,130   Comments: 13

  1. I dropped a iron pill on the floor yesterday when I was opening the package. Now, since I am a new grad and I was always taught that when this happens to throw the pill away, I did just that. I then ordered a new one thru the computer. One of the other more experienced nurses looked at me like I was nuts! What would you guys do? I know that if I was the patient, I would want another pill.
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    About RN always

    Joined: Nov '02; Posts: 346; Likes: 3
    staff nurse med/surg

    13 Comments

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  3. by epg_pei
    Nov 12, '02
    Occupation: Uh, nurse :-) Specialty: 3 year(s) of experience ; Joined: Jun '02; Posts: 333; Likes: 7
    ...or is it only 5 for meds?

    I am, of course, just kidding!
  4. by GPatty
    Nov 12, '02
    Joined: Aug '01; Posts: 3,725; Likes: 459
    I would do the same....
  5. by Lausana
    Nov 12, '02
    Joined: Feb '01; Posts: 3,747; Likes: 2
    Just what I'd do...unless of course it's my food on my floor-then the rule is pick it up!
  6. by jdomep
    Nov 12, '02
    Joined: Sep '02; Posts: 281
    I get a new one!

    My experience last week...a pill took flight upon opening (my first time ever passing meds too )but I caught it and quickly looked at my instructor - she said "you washed your hands right? then it is fine - it did not touch any other surface..."
  7. by OBNURSEHEATHER
    Nov 12, '02
    Joined: Oct '00; Posts: 10,236; Likes: 64
    You did the right thing. Would you want to take apill that had been on the floor? And really, it's not alot of work to get the patint another one.

    Just be glad it wasn't a narc. Saved yourself having to sign it out wasted, have someone witness you waste it, and sign out another!

    Heather
  8. by renerian
    Nov 12, '02
    Occupation: RN, MS home health Joined: Aug '02; Posts: 7,472; Likes: 49
    I agree with you. Toss the pill

    renerian
  9. by Youda
    Nov 12, '02
    Joined: Nov '00; Posts: 931; Likes: 18
    All through your nursing career, there will be some who don't do things as you were taught. Continue to do it as you were taught anyway.
  10. by kittyw
    Nov 12, '02
    Occupation: RN, MSN student Joined: Mar '02; Posts: 1,223; Likes: 1
    Think about all the grip growing on that hospital floor .... at home it's different - at least it's my own germs there. Hospital floors are just plain nasty!!!
  11. by jenac
    Nov 12, '02
    Joined: Aug '02; Posts: 367; Likes: 9
    Look at it this way guys: I know what I've stepped in today....do you? Uck- get another pill.
  12. by BadBird
    Nov 12, '02
    Occupation: Critical Care Joined: Aug '00; Posts: 2,629; Likes: 20
    Hey, I dropped a pill last night, just threw it away and got another. I sure wouldn't take a pill that fell on the hospital floor and I wouldn't expect my patient to either.
  13. by emily_mom
    Nov 13, '02
    Joined: Jul '02; Posts: 3,872; Likes: 18
    I dropped a Dig on the floor in the pt room during clinical one day. I picked it up and put it in the cup, telling the pt that I would go get another one. I went out to the desk and my instructor was gone so my nurse blew on it and threw it back in the cup. I told her I didn't want to give it b/c it was on the floor (and I had just cleaned up tons of blood off of it from her cath bag having a whole in it...she was over coumadin'd). She told me if I didn't want to give that was fine and proceeded to take the cup out of my hand and walk into the lady's room. Eesh...
  14. by missionnurse
    Nov 13, '02
    Occupation: Educator Specialty: 6 year(s) of experience in CCU/ER ; Joined: Sep '02; Posts: 144; Likes: 3
    Yep! I would chuck it too!!!

    Good call!!!

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