Author Question: A nurse who has been abusing narcotics is in the nurse executive's office discussing the charges. ... (Read 73 times)

rlane42 · **on:** Jul 8, 2018

A nurse who has been abusing narcotics is in the nurse executive's office discussing the charges. The nurse executive is trying to convince the nurse to seek treatment for the abuse. Which statement should the nurse executive make?

1. Health insurances generally pay 100 percent of treatment charges for medical professionals who are seeking help.
2. If you go to treatment, the state board will never know you were abusing.
3. Treatment is your best chance at returning to practice.
4. We will be able to follow your progress through reports from your treatment team.

Question 2

A nurse is suspected of abusing narcotics. A thorough investigation has been performed, and the nurse will now be notified of the suspicion and investigation. How should this notification be handled?

1. A certified letter outlining the accusation and investigation should be sent to the nurse's home.
2. A certified letter outlining the accusation and investigation should be sent to the nurse at work.
3. The nurse should be contacted and asked to make an appointment with the nurse executive without giving cause.
4. The nurse should be approached at work with no prior notice and asked to come to the nurse executive's office.

Brenm · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 8, 2018

Answer to Question 1

3
Rationale 1: Unfortunately, this is not a true statement.
Rationale 2: Just going to treatment is not sufficient; the nurse must successfully complete treatment. In some states, the state board must be notified regardless of the decision to seek treatment.
Rationale 3: The nurse who successfully completes treatment stands the best chance at successfully reentering practice.
Rationale 4: Unless the nurse gives consent to release of information to the nurse executive, this is not possible.
Global Rationale:

Answer to Question 2

4
Rationale 1: Sending a letter to the nurse's home will give the nurse opportunity to rationalize the abuse, to create a story, or to develop denial.
Rationale 2: Sending a letter to the nurse at work will give the nurse opportunity to rationalize the abuse, to create a story, or to develop denial.
Rationale 3: If a request to make an appointment with the nurse executive is made, a nurse who is abusing narcotics would likely be suspicious that administration had found out about the abuse.
Rationale 4: This surprise approach minimizes the amount of time the nurse has to create a story or to rationalize the abuse of narcotics.
Global Rationale: