HELP how do i answer this interview question?

[waiting2exhale]

You observe a rn on the unit putting a few percocet in his/her pocket. What would you do?

Thank you so much:d

[Blackheartednurse]

I would definitely confront her before going to the manager....and then if she wouldnt want to listen my next step would be informing the supervisor.Good luck!!!!!!!!!

[aromarn]

Yes, the best answer is to talk to her before you blew a wissle. Then depending on her response you go to the superviser. Remember you go to chain of commands, starting form the Rn. Good luck.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

It could be that she's diverting for her own use...and it could be that she's off to bring medications to a patient or has pulled them for another nurse. And yes, I've carried medication (sealed unit doses) in my pocket when I'm tracking down patients or if I've pulled from other units--that way I know exactly where the meds are and they're easier to keep track of than if I'm wandering the halls with a cup full of loose pills in hand.

Point being: you won't know why she's doing it until you ask her. You need more info, so you should should talk to her first and she what she says. Then go from there based on what she says...as well as her reaction to being asked and her appearance (does she look like she's impaired/withdrawing/lying?).

[shoegalRN, RN]

I would definately pull the nurse to the side and get more info from the nurse before I go to the manager and possibly put this nurse's license on the line.

I know I have pulled Percocets from the Pyxis and put them in my pocket while I pulled all my meds for that certain time frame. Therefore, I didnt have to go back and pull them one at a time and I was on time with my med pass. I took care of a bunch of sickle cell patients on a Med-Surg floor so if you've ever taken care of a sickle cell patient, you know how it is with their pain meds.

I know when I did pull the meds I had due at a certain time for let's say two patients, I would put one patient's meds in my pocket and keep the other patient's meds on the COW so I didnt mix them up. These are PO meds by the way that are sealed.

I would surely ask the nurse and get clarification before I went running off to the nurse manager and starting some type of rumor and causing unnecessary drama.

[KAYBDT6, BSN, RN]

I will try avoid confrontation and asked her in a stylish way, why he/she is diverting the drug in his/her pocket? But if proves stuborn, then I'll follow the normal protocol.

[jessi1106, BSN, RN]

Yes, cetainly talk to her/him directly and then proceed as needed.