Medication Administration Not Observed by Nurse
Penalty
Summary
A licensed vocational nurse failed to follow proper medication administration practices by leaving a cup containing potassium chloride, an orange liquid medication, at the bedside of a resident instead of observing the resident take the medication as required. The nurse confirmed that the medication was scheduled for administration at 9 a.m. and acknowledged that it should not have been left unattended. The resident identified the liquid as her medication during the observation. The Director of Nursing confirmed that facility policy requires nursing staff to remain with residents until all medications have been taken and that medications should not be left at the bedside. A review of the facility's policy on administering oral medications reiterated this expectation.