AALRN

What is the general rule in regards to suggesting OTC meds for your patients, because i think this is a form of prescribing meds, which is obviously not allowed. a med surg book asked this question: A patient with hypertension asks the nurse what he can do to relieve the symptoms of an acute URI. The nurse recommends that he do which of the following? 1.Ask his healthcare provider for an antibiotic prescription. 2. Use an over-the-counter decongestant such as pseudoephedrine to relieve symptoms. 3. Take 1000 mg of vitamin C and use zinc lozenges on a regular basis. 4. Use an over-the-counter nasal spray for no more than three days to relieve congestion. THE ANSWER WAS: 4) Over-the-counter nasal spray is the best choice to relieve URI manifestations in the patient with hypertension, since its effects are local, not systemic. The duration of use is limited to prevent rebound. i feel this answer was wrong. because nurses aren't able to suggest meds for patients to use...

You're the patients advocate, talk to the administrators, make a difference, step up. It's a horrible thing what happened but we are nurses, we are here to change lives for the better. Get that nurse reprimanded, report what you see. This is the real world, not the nclex hospital.

You should check out NY med on youtube. its not all about nurses but there are a few nurses in there.. good stories and they're real..