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Discussion

Would you give it to them?

Hello,

I'm a new nurse working in LTC. During my orientation, I saw CNAs ask the nurse for Advil and Tylenol, claiming to have headache...the nurse did give the med to them...I was very uncomfortable watching that..I know that sooner or later I will be the one asked, so, my question is: is this a common and acceptable thing or is it a big NO NO? Any input is appreciated and thanks for reading!

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    • Featured Replies

    • Guides

    Happens all the time.

    I remember when I was new, aides would come up to me at the med cart and ask for some Tylenol, and I'd ask them if they had any allergies before I'd give them anything. I just didn't want to be held responsible if something went sideways. :yes:

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    In my unit (different than LTC but irrelevant I believe)., the charge nurses had a key to the management office. Management kept a supply of Tylenol & Advil and would dispense them to nurses or non-licensed after assuring no allergies. It doesn't come from patient supplies but that might be because infant doses wouldn't work for us.

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    • Experts

    When I worked in a psych hospital, after unit dose was the norm everywhere else, our meds still came either 500 or 1000 to a bottle.

    The word from management was to check for any allergies,then one dose per eight hours was fine to give.

    It just came from the big bottles.

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    i don't give Rx to anyone at work unless i have an order

    if the facility has Tylenol for staff use i'd provide access to it, but

    would certainly not pour it

    if it comes in a bottle, i'd ask admin if we can get a card instead

    alternatively, i'd offer the CNA a break to get her own Tylenol and

    give her money to buy it if needed

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    • Experts

    I can't count the number of times I gave someone on staff Tylenol from the bottle in my locker. I always felt weird doing it the other way, but did sometimes. I have never known why if I can keep Tylenol, Imodium, and Tums in my locker, others couldn't too.

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    We have the large bottles of stock meds in our cart at my LTC facility. We have been ok'd to give staff tylenol, motrin and tums when needed.

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    A nurse in Massachusetts was observed by the DPH giving acetaminophen from the cart to a staff member. She was sited for dispensing without a license. I bring my own acetaminophen and keep it in my desk. I've had staff members ask for prescription medication saying they didn't have time to get their prescription filled! Really?!? I don't care to have anyone lose their license because you didn't go to the pharmacy.

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    • Guides

    No, I wouldn't do it and CapeCodMermaid's post makes that point for me. We have bottles of acetaminophen and ibuprofen in the break room.

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    It is dispensing without a license. I will not be cited for it. Some have asked me for Mylanta or Tylenol and I refuse. They get upset but I tell them "The store is down the street. If you would like to take a break to get something, let me know". I will not be reprimanded for a simple thing.

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    I have ibuprofen in my locker. My locker has a lock on it but those who work with me know how to get into my locker. If they need something for a headache, they get it themselves.

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    • Author

    Thank you, all so much! I know they will hate me, but, oh well:-)

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    We keep stock bottles of Tylenol and ibuprofen in our med room that are for staff only. Pharmacy supplies them for us.

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