Right or wrong? Need some advice

Nurses Medications

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I am currently an RN student doing med-surg clinicals (5th quarter). There is a patient who is to receive Vanc. through a PICC and it is scheduled for 9am. However last week he had an appointment and was gone by 8:30, we were not informed of his impending departure until 8, and by then it was too late to start the infusion as it hadn't been taken out of the fridge yet and is scheduled to run over an hour. The issue I am having is that upon his return at 11:30ish, our instructor said it was OK to give it, even though it was late, and without the Dr.'s approval, although she stated that she had spoken to the NP who was at the facility and that it was approved, no order was written in the chart. Our instructor (who has an MSN) gave it anyways. Another student and I are arguing on whether or not it was an acceptable thing to do, and we can find nothing in the NPA, or the BON websites that will help. Was she wrong for doing this? We are considering going to our nursing chair at school, but obviously do not want to look like idiots if this was acceptable. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Specializes in Alzheimer's, Geriatrics, Chem. Dep..
I appreciate everyone's feedback :-)

I think you are doing a great job holding up under some kinda rough criticism on this thread lol.. I am glad you asked the question, it's helpful for all of us!

lol thank you :-) a little criticism is great especially from seasoned nurses who have been there done that kinda thing and if I get picked on in the process well.... goes with the territory I s'pose lol was really frustrated the day I posted this ....the issue has now resolved itself I am very happy to say!

Specializes in ICU.

As long as it's less than halfway between doses, it should still be given.

Sorry...I had to chuckle or LOL on this response. If I had to call the doc with every late med (In LTC) I should just sit at the desk and forget about passing the meds in the first place.

The med was a once a day med..two hours wasn't going to hurt. What was the risk of not giving the med? Patients have appts and are always on and off of the floor. Try calling the doc every time a med is late because of this one.

This is why I think the LPN is stuck in LPN/LTC land. In LTC, she would have to call doc and get an order to give it late, so that if the state audited that chart, they wouldn't get a "ding".
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