Narcotics

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I work in LTC and had a question about narcotics. I was working on passing pills in the morning and a CNA had informed me that somebody needed a catheter changed and that the client wanted it done right away. I already had all of my medications, including two narcotics, but one or two left to pull. Would it have been legal for me to put them in my cart and give them after the catheter replacement?

Thank you

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Specializes in LTC.

If I did everything everyone wanted done "Right away!" I'd never get anything done. :thankya:

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Yeah I know what you mean! There was just talk among the other nurses that I should have put the pills in my cart and do the catheter first. I was told the catheter was the priority at the time.

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H E Double Hockey Sticks, NO!.

Under my nurse practice act, narcotics have to be administered upon leaving the drug locker. Was the patient writhing on the floor in agony???

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Specializes in LTC.
Yeah I know what you mean! There was just talk among the other nurses that I should have put the pills in my cart and do the catheter first. I was told the catheter was the priority at the time.

Wth, was it loose and spraying everyone down with urine? What was the emergency that 2 seconds to give out some pills made such a difference?

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It was a scheduled narcotic that was to be administered twice a day. The client is always in discomfort but not on the floor in agony :)

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The catheter was leaking and her depends were wet. She was in the process of getting ready for the day and had no patience that morning. wanted it don ASAP!

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I got crap from the charge nurse because I didnt feel comfortable leaving a narcotic in the cart!

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Changing a leaky cath isn't life or death, it can wait 10 minutes.

I'd have finished pulling the last couple of meds, given them, then changed the cath.

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I would have simply acknowledged that you heard the request, stated that you would first give the patient you were pulling meds for their medication and then be right there. If it was so important to the charge nurse, why didn't she step up to help out?

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

You did the right thing.Giving the meds was more important than changing the catheter.

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Specializes in retired LTC.

Rule #2 for pt care (accd'g to my personal book of rules) --- 'You can be next, but you can't be right now".

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