OTC medications for parents?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Hi all! I have a question that just doesn't seem to be answered anywhere for me In the context that I would like.

I've been asked by multiple parents in the hospital if I can provide them with otc meds such as Tylenol or ibuprofen for a headache.

is it illegal to provide said parent with these these or just not recommended?

Thanks!

Even still, basic baby nurse first semester 101, you dont give patients any medications, even OTC, without orders.

I agree, but the parent would not be a patient.

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Even still, basic baby nurse first semester 101, you dont give patients any medications, even OTC, without orders.

But that's the point of the question (I think). We can't give PATIENTS any medications that haven't been ordered. But to whom can we give OTC medications without an order? Parents of patients are not our patients.

We are free to give OTC medications to our own family members or friends precisely because they are not our patients. I'll happily share my personal ibuprofen with a colleague at work who complains of a headache.

Since the parents of patients are not our patients, are we "practicing medicine" to give them a non-prescribed med, even if we'd be legally in the clear if we handed a cough drop to a colleague? It's an interesting question because in some areas of care (pediatrics, hospice, maternity), the family unit as a whole is cared for, even if only one person is the actual patient.

Is it just inadvisable or is it actually illegal? I don't know the answer.

I wouldn't risk it personally. But I also don't work pediatrics, so I haven't had to face a parent who might be unwilling to leave a sick child's side, even for a few minutes to go to the gift shop.

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

It isn't the same as giving to family or friends, in the peds ward you are a health care "expert", and you do have a relationship with them through their minor child. So no, don't do it. It can bite you in the aspidistera.

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Specializes in retired LTC.

Don't do it!!!

For reasons others have said.

I really think hard even about co-workers

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A co-worker the other day needed some ibuprofen. All I had in my purse was my little pill container with a mix of unmarked, undated Motrins/Advils. I obviously didn't feel comfortable offering them to her.

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I agree, but the parent would not be a patient.

Is the nurse on the clock? At a hospital? Is the parent complaining of a symptom ie headache and pain?

Then yes they are a patient and should your employer find out you are handing out OTC medication while at work at their facility you most likely wont be employed for long.

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It isn't the same as giving to family or friends, in the peds ward you are a health care "expert", and you do have a relationship with them through their minor child. So no, don't do it. It can bite you in the aspidistera.

This ^

Some of your just arent getting it.

The "parent" isnt Aunt Becky over at your house for Christmas.

You are on duty as a nurse in your employer's health care facility and you are now dispensing medication without an order. You will be fired and most likely reported to the BON.

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Specializes in Psychiatry, Community, Nurse Manager, hospice.

Broughden,

A parent of a patient on a peds unit is not a patient.

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Broughden,

A parent of a patient on a peds unit is not a patient.

Okay. You hand out OTC medications while on the clock at work and let me know what your employer thinks of that.

I'm not going to argue it anymore, it's your job/license. Obviously others agree with me.

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