The Texas Board of Nursing is known to be very strict when it comes to all actions of nurses, which is why a nurse attorney is needed when attending hearings before the Board. The Texas Board of Nursing (BON) does not allow those who wish to exceed the scope of their practice as an RN or LVN.
At the time of the initial incident, an LVN was employed as a Licensed Vocational Nurse Health and Wellness Director in College Station, Texas, and had been in that position for ten (10) months.
On or about January 2021 through February 202 1, while working as a Licensed Vocational Nurse Health and Wellness Director, the LVN failed to ensure the unlicensed staff she was administratively responsible for accurately documented the administration of Lasix to a patient. In addition, the LVN instructed unlicensed staff to withhold the patient’s Lasix because of low blood pressure without an order from the provider. Subsequently, the patient’s weight increased from 146 pounds to 160 pounds and the patient was hospitalized for exacerbation of congestive heart failure. The LVN’s conduct created an inaccurate medical record and was likely to injure the patient in that subsequent caregivers would rely on that documentation to provide subsequent care. In addition, the LVN’s conduct was likely to injure the patient in that the LVN lacked the education and training to make the decision to withhold the patient’s Lasix.
On or about January 27, 2021, through February 3, 2021, while working, the LVN failed to ensure the unlicensed staff she was administratively responsible for administering Digoxin, Isosorbide, and Spironolactone to a patient, as ordered by the physician. In addition, the LVN failed to notify the provider that these medications were withheld. Subsequently, the patient’s weight increased from 146 pounds to 160 pounds and the patient was hospitalized for exacerbation of congestive heart failure. The LVN’s conduct was likely to harm the patient from the ineffective treatment of heart failure.
On or about February 5, 2021, the LVN failed to accurately answer questions from the family of the patient about medication changes and orders. The LVN’s conduct deprived the patient and patient’s family of the opportunity to make informed decisions about the patient’s medical care.
In response, the LVN states the patient’s Lasix was held for three (3) days due to low blood pressure, and she told the patient’s family that holding the medication was a nursing judgment until a doctor’s order was obtained. The LVN added that she later told the Facility Director that she did not know the medications were held by staff but she accepted the blame in order to de-escalate the situation with the patient’s family. The LVN also added that she would not have held the medications without order and if she had been aware of the patient’s weight gain and edema, she would have intervened.
Because of this incident, the Texas Board of Nursing then subjected the LVN’s license to disciplinary action.
The accusation would have been defended by an experienced and skilled nurse attorney, had the LVN hired one. Hiring a nurse attorney for defense is applicable for any kind of accusation laid against an RN or LVN.
For more details and to schedule a confidential consultation, you must approach one of the most experienced nurse attorneys in Texas, Nurse Attorney Yong J. An. He has assisted numerous nursing license cases since 2006. You may contact him by dialing (832)-428-567 if you wish to learn more information should you undergo accusations or any other case that may affect your license.