An ICU nurse does not follow policy when administering a ...

[Caiter2013]

An ICU nurse does not follow policy when administering a medication intravenously. Which would be the most appropriate action by the manager to assist the employee?
 
  1. Provide written instructions for administering the medication.
  2. Remediate the situation with the ICU staff.
  3. Provide a copy of the policy and discuss the rationale for the policy as it relates to client care.
  4. Reprimand the ICU nurse for giving the medication.

Question 2

A nurse has been pulled from the medical-surgical unit to the ICU unit. An ICU nurse informs the nurse that a client requires intravenous (IV) cardiac medication, which requires monitoring of potential cardiac arrhythmias.
 
  The medical-surgical nurse administers the medication and monitors the cardiac rhythm. The ICU nurse later asks the nurse what cardiac rhythm the client exhibited during administration of the medication. The nurse states, I dont know. What actions should the manager take to address this situation? 1. Meet with the ICU nurse to discuss the matter.
  2. Meet with the medical-surgical nurse to determine if the nurse is aware of ICU policies.
  3. Give a written warning to the ICU nurse since it was her responsibility to administer this type of
  medication.
  4. Report the incident to nursing administration.

[enass]

Answer to Question 1

3
Explanation: 1. Providing written instructions for the medication is not as constructive as providing and
discussing the policy. The ICU staff does not need remediation or reprimand. The ICU nurse
should give the client the medication but follow the ICU policy regarding this medication.

Answer to Question 2

2
Explanation: 1. Meeting with the ICU nurse to investigate the matter is appropriate but the manager should
first discuss the matter with the medical-surgical nurse. It is inappropriate to determine at this
time to give a warning. Nursing administration may or may not need to be aware of the
situation.