I work on an ALF unit where many residents self administer their medication. Some of the residents that self administer their medications have narcs that the nurse will keep in the med cart double locked and we sign them out on the narc and the MAR.
Well we have a resident that takes a narcotic BID. The nurses have been signing out 2 narcotics in the narc book and Do not sign in the MAR. I told the resident I didn't feel comfortable giving out 2 narcs at a time since she is scheduled to get them BID. The resident was upset and said " well the other nurses do it". I went to my supervisor and she referred me to ask a more seasoned nurse.
Am I wrong for thinking any thing we administer to a resident should be done by the six rights which is : Right dose,right medication, right patient, right time, right route and right documentation..
Am I wrong to not want to sign out 2 narcs at a time?
Am I wrong for me to think we should initial in the MAR?
I wouldn't be comfortable giving to pills at a time. It defeats the purpose of you locking them up even if its only one extra pill. I know this has nothing to do with the OP. But I hate hearing "The other nurses do it." I usually say "This is the right way. I'm only responsible for my actions."
I work on an ALF unit where many residents self administer their medication. Some of the residents that self administer their medications have narcs that the nurse will keep in the med cart double locked and we sign them out on the narc and the MAR.
Well we have a resident that takes a narcotic BID. The nurses have been signing out 2 narcotics in the narc book and Do not sign in the MAR. I told the resident I didn't feel comfortable giving out 2 narcs at a time since she is scheduled to get them BID. The resident was upset and said " well the other nurses do it". I went to my supervisor and she referred me to ask a more seasoned nurse.
Am I wrong for thinking any thing we administer to a resident should be done by the six rights which is : Right dose,right medication, right patient, right time, right route and right documentation..
Am I wrong to not want to sign out 2 narcs at a time?
Am I wrong for me to think we should initial in the MAR?
Please help me clarify. Thanks
If they're self-medicating, I'm not sure why the NARC is locked. We have residents who self-medicate and we just monitor their abilities to medicate and if they are any harm to themselves or others we medicate them. If you are providing the medication, you should be signing the MAR. I'm slightly confused on this one:S.
Brea LPN
143 Posts
I wouldn't be comfortable giving to pills at a time. It defeats the purpose of you locking them up even if its only one extra pill. I know this has nothing to do with the OP. But I hate hearing "The other nurses do it." I usually say "This is the right way. I'm only responsible for my actions."