Resident's Right to Refuse Medication Not Upheld
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when a resident, admitted with osteoarthritis and chronic pain and assessed as cognitively intact, was not afforded the right to participate in care and treatment decisions. During a morning medication pass, the resident expressed concern about taking a 'water pill' due to its diuretic effects and verbally refused the medication. Despite this, the LPN administering the medications denied the presence of a water pill and proceeded to administer Torsemide, a diuretic, to the resident against his expressed wishes. Further review revealed that the LPN was unaware that Torsemide is a diuretic, commonly referred to as a water pill by residents. The Nursing Home Administrator confirmed that the nurse failed to provide the resident with the opportunity to refuse the medication, thereby not upholding the resident's right to participate in treatment decisions and to be fully informed about their care and treatments.