An experienced San Angelo nurse attorney has surely helped a lot of RNs and LVNs when it comes to cases that may lead toward disciplinary action. Unfortunately, not all nurses were able to hire a nurse attorney as they underwent such cases. This incident that an LVN committed in 2007, was one of those examples. L100469N8939
On or about March 17, 2007, an LVN from San Angelo administered Protonix through blood tubing in between blood transfusions to a patient.
Her conduct was likely to expose the patient to complications related to lysis of red blood cells that could have infused along with the Protonix.
On or about April 11, 2007, the LVN failed to assess and intervene appropriately when it was found that the patient had a blood pressure of 69743 and the intravenous access site was infiltrated. The LVN inappropriately administered a bolus of intravenous (IV) fluid containing potassium instead of administering intravenous fluid of Normal Saline.
The LVN’s conduct was likely to cause injury to the patient if delivering a bolus of potassium could acutely and severely elevate the patient’s potassium level and lead to cardiac dysrhythmia and death.
During the hearing, the LVN states if she did not hang the Protonix before the end of her shift it would not have been hung for that day. The first unit of blood had finished infusing and the tubing flushed with normal saline before she started the Protonix. The LVN states since reviewing the hospital policy she has come to the conclusion that what she did was not against policy, the hospital’s policy does not specifically state that medication is not to be infused through blood tubing.
In addition, the LVN states the patient’s blood pressure had been running low and was being taken every ten (10) minutes while she was taking care of six (6) other patients and watching the telemetry monitor each time she stepped out into the hallway. She states that when the patient’s blood pressure dropped she mistakenly administered the IV fluid bolus containing potassium.
The Texas Board of Nursing has full jurisdiction over all cases regarding errors committed by an RN or LVN.
The following incident and defense against the case caused the Texas Board of Nursing to place the LVN and her license into disciplinary proceedings. She would have sought assistance from a good nurse attorney to provide clarifications towards the case.
If you’ve ever done any errors during your shift as an RN or LVN, and you wish to preserve your career and your license, an experienced nurse attorney is what you need. San Angelo Nurse Attorney Yong J. An, an experienced nurse lawyer for various cases for 16 years, can assist you by contacting him at (832) 428-5679.