Nurse told me to give Medication

lavender59 · Apr 7, 2013

Be civil to tell her that giving meds is not within the scope of your practice. She should know better that CNAs do not pass meds.

hodgieRN · Apr 7, 2013

Be clear in how you say it and don't leave it as an open option. If you say "I don't think I should do that," then the nurse is open to deciding what to do b/c you are basically telling her that you unsure about the rules. That gives her the power to decide the next move. If you say "I am not allowed to do that. Sorry," then there is nothing to discuss and its closed. Her only choice now is to give it herself or not give the medication at all. You are essentially removing yourself from the equation.

turnforthenurse, MSN, NP · Apr 7, 2013

Agree with hodgieRN. Don't give the nurse the opportunity to decide for you.

Otherwise, you did a good job and did the right thing. Kudos.

Prac · Apr 7, 2013

I have enuff experience in my short cna resume to tell u that is a no-no. I'm not sure who the new person was here.lol good job!

Prac · Apr 7, 2013

Talk about a set up. Huh. Very interesting. Its like, what r u trying to do, get me fired? Gee thanks. Way to be on ur toes!

SaoirseRN · Apr 7, 2013

I think likely because you were already feeding the patient, the nurse figure it was just as easy for you to keep going and give her the medicine. I'm not saying this is right, mind you, but I don't think she meant it to get you in trouble.

Likely some CNAs she has worked with would do that because of a mutual trusting relationship. The nurse has prepared the med and signed for it, so as long as it's given... Not best practice, not exactly legal, but I see why it occurs.

Good for you, though, for trusting your judgement and not giving the med.

Jory, MSN, APRN, CNM · Apr 7, 2013

I agree with this as well.

This happens ALL the time in the LTC's here. Many meds need to be given on a full stomach and it's easier to hand them to the CNA if they are assisting with a feeding so they can be given when the meal is finished.

A CNA could not do the same thing in a med-surg or other hospital unit.

I personally...see no harm in it. The RN or LPN is responsible for obtaining the correct med, checking a blood pressure or other vital signs (if needed for the med).

However, NEVER leave medications unattended...EVER.

eatmysoxRN, ASN, RN · Apr 7, 2013

We had a patient on our unit who just wouldn't take medication from any of the nurses. The patient only liked one person on the unit and it happened to be a male NA. The only way we could get that patient to take pills was if the NA fed them to him in applesauce.

The nurse would prepare the meds in applesauce and watch as the aide fed the patient. I saw no problems and the manager was aware of the situation and gave us an okay. I think there ended up being a few shifts where everything was refused.

You're right that it is outside of your scope. I personally don't see a problem with you handing the patient the cup with the nurse standing there. But it could potentially backfire so it's probably best that you did what you did.

~ No One Can Make You Feel Inferior Without Your Consent -Eleanor Roosevelt ~

ArrowRN, BSN, RN · Apr 7, 2013

So as I posted recently I just started as a CNA. Friday was my third and last day shadowing one of the CNA's that already worked there and Monday I will be on my own. Well yesterday, I was feeding a patient that had been asking the nurse several times for medication and so while I was feeding, the nurse came in and put some medicine on the table that I was feeding from (I was actually done and was cleaning up at this point). It was a liquid med in a little cup and she told me to give it to her to drink and I said "Umm I don't think I'm supposed to give her that," and she said " No it's fine, just give it to her." She walked out and I was looking puzzled, but I know I cant do that so I told the patient bye and walked out. The nurse saw me when I walked out and was looking like "why didn't you give it" but she went in and gave it to her. Now the nurse is very very nice and polite and I know she was very busy but I CANNOT give meds. How do you guys respectfully tell nurses this when they try to get you to do this. Hopefully this will not be a continued problem there.

She knows you cannot give meds and trust me, you would be fired had you given it to the patient. Firstly, just tell her nicely that she is already aware that only registered nurses or LPN's (depending on state) can give meds and it is not in your scope of practice and both you and her would be fired had the nursing board find out and loose your licenses . Secondly you got no idea what the med is for and thirdly you have no idea of the harm or side effects of the meds and you could potentially kill the patient if something was to go wrong. If she does not understand the above, I won't even touch the meds if she offers it for you to give even if she was right there looking, she is being unsafe and could loose her license. The nurse needs to know what tasks can and cannot be delegated.

ArrowRN, BSN, RN · Apr 7, 2013

I agree with this as well.
This happens ALL the time in the LTC's here. Many meds need to be given on a full stomach and it's easier to hand them to the CNA if they are assisting with a feeding so they can be given when the meal is finished.
A CNA could not do the same thing in a med-surg or other hospital unit.
I personally...see no harm in it. The RN or LPN is responsible for obtaining the correct med, checking a blood pressure or other vital signs (if needed for the med).
However, NEVER leave medications unattended...EVER.

I totally disagree with this post and what you guys doing is illegal. As soon as a nurse leaves meds in the hands of a CNA they are leaving it unattended and putting their stupid license on the line. I don't care if the CNA has twenty five years experience and knows all the meds on the planet. If you want to pass meds, go to nursing school and get qualified to do so.

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Apr 7, 2013

The nurse knows that CNAs cannot give medications but she was testing the waters. I personally have never asked an aide to give medications and would never dream of doing so (especially since when I worked in the hospital, I barely trusted our aides to take VS.)