Recurring Protonix Nightmare

[Firewood, RN]

Hello. I had a pt last week on a protonix gtt, 80mg/500cc at 52cc/hr or 8mg/hr. per order per protocol. I inadvertantly hung a second Protonix gtt at 130cc/hr. (80mg/500cc).

By the time I caught the error I estimate that about 48mg extra protonix was transfused. I immediatley took down the second bag. I called the attending ICU Doctor in charge of the pts care and told him of the error. He said it "shouldn't have harmed the pt". I asked him if I should dicontinue the first drip of protonix since the extra amount was given, and he said "no, continue the drip". I next called the nursing supervisor per policy and then the med error hotline. I was shook up, but ok, I followed procedure. The next day I went online reading articles about protonix and how it could cause liver problems and renal problems, etc. This got me scared. I began to wonder if further testing needed to be done? Maybe I should have told the GI Doctor since he probably started the drip? I keep thinking of that pt getting worse as time goes on. But I did tell someone! I told the ICU attending Doctor! Why is that fact lost on me? Well, I feel it would be foolish and undermining to go back a say something now, but my obsessive thinking won't let it go! Even though I've been told by several others that I followed protocol and should drop it. How do I ease my mind? Did I do the moral thing?

[toomuchbaloney]

Quite right, you are obsessing.

Don't feed that wolf or that wolf will devour you in the end.

[Firewood, RN]

Thank you toomuchbaloney, you are right. After letting go, I feel much better.

[rnKato]

I worry so much about things like this as well. the worst thing to do is go home and look things up online it will make you sick to your stomach. Now, I try to reflect on the situation and learn from it for the future.