Took out wrong person's IV

Ruby Vee, BSN · Apr 25, 2010

hello! i haven't posted here in a very long time but i'm on here almost everyday. i'm in my last semester of nursing school and will be graduating in may... i have done very well so far in school and have had no problems in my clinicals, but of course, on my very last clinical day i was passing meds, and as i walked out of the patient's room my nurse said "can you take out her iv for me" so i went back in the room and took out her iv (saline lock)...but then found out she was talking about the patient in the room next to her! she did not specify who so i thought she was talking about the patient who's room i had just walked out of...i feel stupid because i should have made sure myself who she was talking about and thought it through before i just automatically did what she asked. i was embarrassed and felt stupid. i'm posting because i've been worrying about it and wondering if i can get into trouble for something like that? i am about to graduate so i guess i'm just really nervous and worrying about everything and i want to make sure i am competent. all my nurse said was "oh you took out so and so's?? there wasn't an order for that! well hopefully she'll be discharged today anyway." i said i'm so sorry i thought you were talking about so and so. she didn't seem too concerned but did seem slightly annoyed by it. it was a stupid mistake, but should i be worrying about it as much as i am? can i possibly get in trouble for mistakenly taking it out without an order? and i want to apply to that hospital and that floor when i graduate... thanks so much for any replies

everyone makes mistakes, and as far as severity of mistake, that one wasn't bad at all. it's good that you apologized and that you're worried about it. the timing is probably what is worrying you the worst.

i've made some doozies, and that one wouldn't even make my top 200! give yourself a break.

jorjaRN · Apr 25, 2010

It was probably more of an inconvenience than anything else...people pull out thier own IVs or they go bad all the time. The nurse probably just put another one in, if she even did that (since the patient was possibly going home). I wouldn't worry about it.

jess17 · Apr 25, 2010

Thank you both, that makes me feel better.

Anisettes, BSN, RN · Apr 25, 2010

The nurse who asked you to remove the IV should have specified who she was talking about, BUT as the person actually performing the procedure, it was incumbent upon you to verify.

I don't know if you can or will get into to trouble for it, but it's certainly something to serve to you as a reminder to always verify before you do anything in the future - whether it's administering a medication or a treatment, a site for surgery, whatever.

We're human and all make mistakes. It doesn't appear the patient was harmed (though if the IV needed to be restarted, it was an unnecessary pain for him) and as you said the RN seemed more annoyed than anxious over it. If your instructors want to make a deal over it, you'll deal with it as it comes up, but I wouldn't dwell on it as it may come to nothing.

Just use this as an opportunity for instruction and growth and to always remember to verify EVERYTHING before you carry something out. And when you make a mistake - always strive for transparency and to rectify it to the best of your ability.

NEVER try to cover a mistake up, you'll destroy your credibility and your integrity. No one is perfect and mistakes WILL happen, just be the one who does the right thing when it happens.

Good Luck!

klone, MSN, RN · Apr 25, 2010

Yes, try not to worry. It happens. The absolute WORST that would happen is they'd have to start another. But since she was probably going to be d/ced that day, doesn't sound like any harm was done.

jess17 · Apr 25, 2010

Thanks, yes Anisettes I would never try to cover up a mistake and I will definitely be sure to verify every little thing from now on whatever it may be. Thank you

oramar · Apr 25, 2010

Of all the ways to learn to verify things before you take an action, this is one of the mildest mistakes you can make. It is not that big of a deal, except in a case where the patient is a very hard stick and a restart would be a bear. You can actually turn it into a good learning experience because you will be more likely to be asking for clairification in the future now that you can see what can happen. If you are questioned about it tell them just that, it was a good learning experience. Good luck with your career.

elizabeth321 · Apr 25, 2010

Don't do any order or procedure without going to the chart and seeing the order and then checking the wristband of the patient....an error is an error is an error....don't start minimizing now or it will affect your whole work ethic.

Should you be failed? No but it was an error.

Katie5 · Apr 25, 2010

Nurse- "Can you take out her IV for me?"

Student- "Yes. Hers?" "Okay. Whose?"

I find it a bit weird, that you did not return any comment or even acknowledge the request in any way. But just lumbered back in and took out the IV.

netglow, ASN, RN · Apr 25, 2010

I find it a bit weird, that you did not return any comment or even acknowledge the request in any way. But just lumbered back in and took out the IV.

Hey you were there too!!! So was I!!! (NOT). Anyhoo the OP doesn't "lumber" -- not that I've witnessed :rolleyes: .

Lumber-to move clumsily or heavily, esp. from great or ponderous bulk.

O H... C O M E... O N !

Katie5 · Apr 25, 2010

Hey you were there too!!! So was I!!! (NOT). Anyhoo the OP doesn't "lumber" -- not that I've witnessed .
Lumber-to move clumsily or heavily, esp. from great or ponderous bulk.
O H... C O M E... O N !

My dear, I'm only responding based on the post she made. Neither one of us was there.