Re: Holding a med d/t POA's request

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Specializes in M/S, ER, Geriatrics, Admit & Rec.

I have a question regarding is it legal to withhold a patient's medication if the patient has Alzheimer's, dementia, etc., if the POA requests to do so? I know u have to check w/ the MD, but if u give the med despite the POA's request, is this some type of battery/abuse? Would love any comments!

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

Is the patient himself able to express his desire regarding the medication?

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Specializes in M/S, ER, Geriatrics, Admit & Rec.

No, this patient is 91 years old and she has Alzheimer's.:typing

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Specializes in ER/EHR Trainer.

It would depend....if required to LIVE, I'd contact physician. What is the POA's reasoning?

Maisy

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Specializes in M/S, ER, Geriatrics, Admit & Rec.

The med was to help her sleep, but the POA stated when she took it in the hospital prior to her coming into the LTCF, it caused extreme agitation and sleeplessness. She stated the nurses did hold it and the pt. rested better. So her reasoning was that this med caused the opposite effects.

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I always document that the POA refused the med on behalf of the pt and what their rationale was.

I can't believe that someone ordered a routine sleeper instead of a prn for someone with dementia. That is just asking for trouble.

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

In this case, where the POA cites a specific example of a possible undesirable side-effect of the drug, I think the request is reasonable.

I would call the physician at the earliest convenience and ask for some alternatives.

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Jolie said:
In this case, where the POA cites a specific example of a possible undesirable side-effect of the drug, I think the request is reasonable.

I would call the physician at the earliest convenience and ask for some alternatives.

Yeah, I would do the same. Sometimes it is best to listen to the family. A lot of residents come from the hospital with way more meds than when they went into the hospital and many of them are not needed.

Call the doc and get it d/c'd or made prn.

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Definitely hold the medication. A Healthcare POA does hold the legal right to hold any or all medications.

Everyone has rights- and in dementia cases- those rights are passed on to the designated POA, including the right to refuse treatment or medications.

Contact Physician and supervisor, document, and make sure you are in a private area when you roll your eyes.

Gotta agree it is a very reasonable request- we have all witnessed adverse reactions in dementia patients- usually when short staffed and a full moon is laughing at us!

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Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, ED.

I would listen to the POA and document my actions.

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