What do you think of this Ambien order?

[IowaLPN]

I could I also title this "Did I make a med error?" :)

I have a new skilled res with an Ambien order that reads: Ambien 5 mg po Take 1-2 tabs at HS prn

Twice in the last few weeks, I have given her one Ambien at about 2200 and then have found her still awake at around 2400 so I would give the second Ambien. I would never repeat the dose if she had been sleeping for a few or several hours. I mean how do you know if you need one or two Ambien when you're trying to get to sleep? Anyway, the day nurse threw a fit saying that I'd made a med error and now I"m just waiting to hear what the skilled supervisor thinks. The order is now going to be clarified so that it won't be an issue in the future but I'm interested to hear what you all think of this.... Do you think I made a mistake?

[rnmi2004]

I don't see how it is a med error. I also don't see how it is a poorly written order.

Who has decided that nurses don't have the capacity to safely administer meds unless the order is ridiculously specific?

There are many reasons that a person may take one, vs. two of something. I have pts with range sleeping pill med orders that want one, then will ask for the 2nd one later after we've had to wake them back up for VS, timed med admin, going to the bathroom, etc.