A nurse’s failure in any aspect even a tiny detail can bring great risk to a patient’s well-being during a recovery phase. It is part of the nurse’s duties and responsibilities to ensure patient’s well-being during their stay at the hospital. If a nurse did many failures while caring for a patient, he/she can be summoned by the Texas Board of Nursing and may be subjected to s disciplinary action. But a nurse attorney on the other hand can help you get through such a situation.
At the time of the incident, an LVN was employed as a Licensed Vocational Nurse at a hospital in Bryan Texas and had been in that position for only one (1) month.
An incident happened on or about January 24, 2020, the LVN failed to assess the vital signs of a patient after observing that the patient had a change in condition. Subsequently, the patient’s family requested that vital signs be taken by LVN; instead, the LVN sent another nurse to assess the patient and noted him to have decreased oxygen saturation (O02), and a blood glucose level of 51 from 167 approximately four (4) hours prior. The LVN’s conduct was likely to injure the patient from clinical care decisions based upon incomplete assessment information.
As a response to the incident involving the LVN, the LVN states that she took the patient’s vitals after 4 pm to include oxygen saturation (02) of 96% and a blood glucose level of 167, The LVN also states that at 8:15 p.m. the patient’s daughter asked her to check on him because she noticed skin irritation. The LVN states that she observed an increase in the patient’s tongue and mouth movements, and reported this to the physician. The LVN states that she told the physician that she believed the patient needed to be evaluated in the Emergency Room (ER), and she proceeded to prepare the paperwork at the nurse’s station. The LVN states that ten (10) minutes later, the patient’s daughter came to the nurse’s station and asked her to check his vitals; however, the LVN informed her that she would not take his vitals as she was preparing to send him to the ER.
The LVN states that she also informed the patient’s daughter that she was excitable and needed to calm down as her behavior was going to affect the patient with her worry. The LVN states that after a second request to check vitals, she asked a charge nurse for assistance to help de-escalate the situation. The LVN states that a different charge nurse came over and took the patient’s vitals to include oxygen saturation (02) of 90% and a blood glucose level of 51. The LVN states that she informed the physician of the results who gave the order for Glucagon and sugar water via peg tube. The LVN states that after administration of glucagon and sugar water, and another charge nurse took vitals again that showed a blood glucose increase of 80. The LVN states that she informed the physician of the results and the physician advised that the patient not be sent to the ER as he believed the patient’s issue was his blood glucose. The LVN states the patient’s daughter still wanted the patient to go to the ER and the patient was transported.
The evidence presented to the Board is sufficient to cause pursuant to Section 301.452(b)(10)&(13), Texas Occupations Code, and is to take disciplinary action against the LVN. The LVN shall also receive sanction and shall comply with the terms of the Order that is agreed upon.
This had to happen for the reason that the LVN had failed to hire her own line of defense that could have helped her fight against the case. Having a nurse attorney around during the trial of your case can change the outcome of the case you are dealing with. So, if ever you have questions about the Texas Board of Nursing disciplinary process? Contact The Law Office of Nurse Attorney Yong J. An for a confidential consultation by calling or texting 24/7 at (832) 428-5679 and ask for attorney Yong.