Nurse told me she has given dropped pills to patients, not sure I responded appropriately

[IreneTouTheou]

I'm not a nurse but work with them in a medical facility. While a group of us were talking about germs, a nurse said that in the past, they have dropped patient meds on the floor, picked them up, and gave them to a patient. It sounded like they regretted this so I tried to be empathic and said something like, "I'm sure in your work there is a lot of pressure and its not easy, you are being honest, and we learn and go on...," or something like this. I don't know, is this common? Did I respond too whimpily? I'm not in any leadership role and don't want to get involved and report anything.  Thoughts?

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

That is disgusting, That floor is filthy. You really have nothing to report/ you did not witness the event. I won't even take a pill a drop on my own floor.

[kbrn2002, ADN, RN]

I haven't done it myself but I have participated in the search for a pill that was dropped, and yes she gave the pill to the patient.  I wasn't really too surprised and frankly would have been tempted to do the same were I in her shoes.  It was a controlled narcotic pain med and getting a replacement dose would have been such a pain that I really couldn't blame her for invoking the 5-second rule....though as I remember it took way more than 5 seconds to find the darn thing