All LVN or RN is under the jurisdiction of the Texas Board of Nursing (BON). All complaints or cases concerning the practice of their license are lodged before the Texas Board of Nursing (BON). Thereafter, the members of the Board will hear the case and decide on the issues or matters submitted for resolution. The parties charged are given the opportunity to be heard with the help of a nurse attorney. This is part of their right to due process.
At the time of the initial incident, an RN was employed as a Registered Nurse at a medical facility in Burleson, Texas, and had been in that position for one (1) year and one (1) month.
On or about February 17, 2020, while employed as a Registered Nurse, the RN ordered Thorazine to a patient without prior authorization from the patient’s treating physician, and/or the RN failed to document her collaboration with the physician. The RN’s conduct created an incomplete medical record and could have caused the patient to suffer from adverse reactions, though the patient did not suffer any adverse reactions.
On or about March 6, 2020, while employed as a Registered Nurse, the RN inappropriately instructed the hospice aides to spray Patient Number 2020373 with cold water to determine the status of the patient’s change in condition. The RN’s conduct may have exposed the patient to a risk of mental and emotional harm and could have contributed to the patient’s end-of-life anxiety and pain.
In response, the RN states that there is a physician’s order for Thorazine in the patient’s chart; however, The RN admits she did not document her communication with the physician prior to ordering it. The RN also explains that the patient was a constant challenge and had been demanding a shower all morning. The RN states that she was told by facility staff that when the patient was placed in his shower chair, his eyes rolled back in his head, he went limp, and got very quiet. The RN states she immediately assessed the patient because he had been hypotensive before; however, the RN states that upon her assessment, his eyes were tightly closed and he was sitting up with perfect posture, rather than slumped over. The RN admits she could have performed a sternal rub, but it would have been painful and the patient had a history of being aggressive towards staff. The RN states she wrote a note and instructed the hospice aide to spray the patient with cold water to see if he was faking his symptoms. The RN states that once the cold water was turned on, the patient immediately responded, saying that the water was cold.
As a result, the RN was disciplined by the Texas Board of Nursing and may be receiving further sanctions. The discipline and the sanction were based and are caused pursuant to Section 301.452(b)(10) & (13)wherein the evidence received by the Board was sufficient to prove the RN’s violation(s).
If 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 nurse attorney Yong.