What should a nurse do if they are unfamiliar with a medication?

Good nursing practice dictates that nurses are never to administer a drug they are unfamiliar with. If a patient is to receive a drug that is too new to be in the usual reference books, nurses should insist that information be provided to them.

What can a nurse do to lessen medication error?

To safeguard against medication errors, nurses must implement the proper procedures for medication administration, including at least these five rights: right patient, drug, dose, route, and time. In addition, they must complete accurate documentation once the patient receives the medication.

What are the most common drugs used by nurses?

The most common substances they abuse are prescription painkillers, such as fentanyl or hydrocodone, and alcohol. Nearly 7 percent of nurses use prescription drugs for nonmedical purposes, a rate higher than the national average. Of all nursing professions, nurse anesthetists use these drugs at the highest rates.

Can nurses get drug tested in the UK?

It is still possible to get drug tested as a nurse in the UK. Law says that employers wanting to test staff for drugs of abuse must seek consent. As a nurse (or employee) you can although refuse to take the drug test in the UK. If you want to learn more about drug testing in the UK, check out this article.

What are the different types of addiction in nurses?

Nurses and Addiction 1 Co-occurring disorders, such as depression and PTSD,… 2 History of nurses and addiction. Although substance abuse among nurses is level with that… 3 Common drugs of abuse. Nurses with substance use disorders turn to a variety… 4 Signs of substance abuse among nurses. Identifying a colleague’s substance…

Do nurses have a higher risk of substance abuse?

Substance abuse is an epidemic that has swept healthcare professions. The American Nurses Association estimates one in 10 nurses today abuse drugs or alcohol. Nurses with a substance use disorders have impaired judgement and slower reaction times, which compromise their work performance.