Question

NURSING

SITUATION # 1
The CRL patient located in cubicle 15 of the Emergency Room constantly complains of abdominal pain in the lower right quadrant. Mrs. Ramos is the nurse in charge of the patient. This goes to the doctor and notifies her that the patient is in a lot of pain. The doctor evaluates the patient and generates a medical order for Demerol 50 mg IM STAT. The nurse, who was very overburdened with tasks, proceeds to execute the order, but in haste she mistakenly takes the order from another patient and prepares Toradol 30 mg IV. Due to her busy shift, she goes to the patient, administers the medication without asking for the name or allergies, and leaves quickly. It should be noted that the nurse did not clean with alcohol before placing the serum on the patient. After 10 min, the patient complains that he cannot breathe and upon inquiring about his history, they realize that he is allergic to Aspirin (Toradol contains aspirin), so he is immediately managed to counteract the manifested allergic reaction. When verifying the file, they realize the negligence committed with the patient.

1. How would you have acted in this situation?
2. What ethical-legal repercussions could arise in this case?

Answer 1

Answer 1. In this situation as a physician, I would firstly treat the patient who was administered wrong medicine. The patient should be provided with anti allergic and other medications to lessen the effects of Aspirin. When the patient is treated, the nurse will be interogated. The reason behind this error would be diagnosed with taking into consideration the effects it gave to that patient. According to this, a judgement would have been made. If the case goes to normal direction, then some punishments or charges will be held for nurses. But if the case worsens, a full carrier will be shunted for that nurse. Decisions are made by doctors with the consent of family.

Answer 2. According to the ethical laws, the decisions will be made on the basis of 3 aspects :- compensation, accountability and retribution.

In compensation, both the sides will together be made to take a common decision which will either affect both or won't any of two. In accountability, the error and the situation is considered with right and wrong with willingness. In retribution, the patient or the patient's family won't consider the other side. For them, the error was a mistake for which the nurse should be treated under criminal act.