Waived vs Can do?

babbsrn · Nov 5, 2006

It depends on your hospital and policies where you work..Some places have standing orders and protocols in place. For example, when I worked on a med/surg floor a nurse could order an EKG before calling the doc, but I have also worked on a floor where that was not excepted. It depends on where you work. Just make sure that you do have yourself covered before you order anything if you are unsure.

suzanne4, RN · Nov 5, 2006

There are so many things that RNs can do.
What are things that you absolutely need an order for:
Ie. 100% O2 mask (order) vs O2 nasal cannula (no order needed)

O2 actually needs an order, you may have it part of a standing order at your facility. It is considered a medication.

HappyNurse2005, RN · Nov 5, 2006

ah, yes, but if someone has has sats in the 80s, i'll put some o2 on them and then let doc know. back when i worked pcu, the docs would often write orders to titrate o2 to keep sats up, (so if o2 was off, then you needed it again later, technically it was still covered by order) or, they could write "respiratory assess adn treat" for a RT to come up and select some standing orders for 02/nebs/etc to be done

suzanne4, RN · Nov 5, 2006

ah, yes, but if someone has has sats in the 80s, i'll put some o2 on them and then let doc know. back when i worked pcu, the docs would often write orders to titrate o2 to keep sats up, (so if o2 was off, then you needed it again later, technically it was still covered by order) or, they could write "respiratory assess adn treat" for a RT to come up and select some standing orders for 02/nebs/etc to be done

But you still need an order for that, ultimately. And that was the original question, that you could place O2 without an order.

It requires a physician or practitioner specific order, or be in the policies and procedures for your unit, or you have a standing order for it. It is still considered a medication and requires an order. Injury can be done with O2 as well, especially if the patient is a CO2 retainer. Too much and they will quit breathing.

If you were taking an exam tomorrow, the answer would be that you would get an order for the O2 before placing it.............