am i in trouble?

Nurses Medications

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Hi all, I'm a new nurse (lpn) and have been working at a nursing home for about 3 weeks now (on my own). I had an issue tonight with a pt who said I did not give him his evening meds, specifically restoril, however, when I checked the emar it said I gave it at 2132. I am pretty certain I gave it and with the emar staying so I must've.. The pt is aax3 n of course called his daughter who then called me pretty much saying im calling her father a liar... If this goes to management can I get in trouble? Will the emar protect me? Its pretty much my word against his. What do I do or should I have done??

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Wow, a patient is complaining that they didn't get their benzo? I am shocked! Shocked I tell you!. In all seriousness, SHOULD you get in trouble? Absolutely not. It's not just your word/patient's word. The charting is there to support your actions.

Patients get a lot of meds, especially in a nursing home. Any patient can get confused on if they got a particular med or not. You will have patients who will say "You didn't give me X" because "X was supposed to make me feel tired or for pain".

Be more confident. Don't say " I think I gave you that" or "I must have given that" Show them the charting and say "I gave you X at this time right here and you can see where it was charted"

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Academics.

Also, make it a habit of reviewing the meds with the patient prior to popping them out. I do that, then say, "Does that sound right? Anything missing?" That doesn't completely prevent the "What's that little white pill?" as they are staring at a med cup full of them, but it gives me good reason to say, "I can't identify now that they are out of the packaging, but I did review them prior to releasing them."

Making it a habit also allows you to say, with reasonable certainty,when questioned, "I always review meds with my patients prior to administering.

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Honestly that comforts me to read your feedback, between him and his daughter attacking me I was beginning to worry if there was a chance with their accusations that I could get in trouble, but your right, the documentation supports my actions. Thank God... And thank you for your responses...

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Not to say that the employer can not or will not take the word of the resident and cause trouble for you. It does happen, but not likely, since you have the documentation to back you up.

Funny I should read this thread, as a little earlier I could not remember if I had taken my own morning meds. Have not been using my med box lately, and could not remember one way or the other. And I am supposed to have it together. So, he could very well have become confused when one day is so much like another. Follow dudette's recommendation, and this is less likely to occur again.

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I haven't received any phone calls today so hopefully I'm in the clear. fingers crossed it doesn't ring the rest of the week. Lol

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