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Discussion

Weird actions that are out of nursing scope

Hi all,

I just passed my NCLEX and will be starting on an acute care unit next week.

I had a teacher tell me that if her children have friends over who have a headache that she can't give them ibuprofen because that's considered "prescribing medication." That sounds suspect to me, especially because she is in her own home and that medication is over-the-counter.

However, if she is right, that makes me worried that there are other seemingly innocent actions out there that are technically considered out of scope and that could put my license at risk.

Aside from the obvious parameters in a nurse's scope of practice, how do you learn what's okay/not okay for a nurse to do in strange situations like this? Is this something most nurses know or is it something that comes with time and experience?

Thanks!

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    All nurses should carry malpractice insurance, it's cheap, and would help cover you for an out-of-work problem.

    I help neighbors and family and friends when they ask, but I don't offer up anything unless directly asked. Keep your nose out of whatever you can will help your sanity.

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    Only common sense stuff. Proper dosage of OTC meds for occasional minor aches. Any chronic aches or issues, even just a sore back, they need to see their doctor.

    It's unfortunately not uncommon for a chronic back ache to be cancer!

    I love to joke with casual acquaintances who ask advice. "Ok, take off all your clothes and I'll examine you.,"

    One of my family members had horrible back pain into their legs and it turned out to be a large AAA! Thankfully it was caught in time and repaired.

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    Ha - okay, glad to hear it. So what about with things like a friend or family member asking you about symptoms they have? Is it out of scope to tell them what you think might be the cause, what meds might benefit them, etc...or is this just another example of me overthinking things?

    Tell them to see their doctor. You cannot diagnose.

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    Sorry if this is naive, but what is the rationale behind this statement? I've not heard that before. Is it unique to hip osteoarthritis and similar conditions, or are you saying in general?

    In general. My neurologist and spine physiatrist have both told me in the past not to bother taking any if I wasn't going to take at least 600 mg. I just took 600 mg for a headache, actually. And my mother's doctor agreed with me.

    Of course, this is for adults. I give less than 600 mg to children all the time.

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