The practice of the nursing profession can become challenging and demanding all at the same time. An RN in Texas needs to follow several rules and regulations to prevent suspension or revocation of her RN license. In the past, several cases were filed against different nurses for misconduct and gross negligence which may have put their RN license in danger. Therefore, nurses need a nurse attorney to defend their case.
At the time of the incident, she was employed as an RN at a medical facility in The Woodlands, Texas, and had been in that position for two (2) years and three (3) months.
On or about September 5, 2020, while employed as an RN at a medical facility in The Woodlands, Texas, RN was accused of the following:
- RN failed to administer intravenous potassium, as ordered by the provider at 0945, when the patient had a low potassium level of 2.9. Subsequently the patient was transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU) for respiratory distress and the potassium was administered by the nurse in the ICU at 1336. RN’s conduct was likely to injure the patient from complications of low potassium levels including breathing difficulty, muscle weakness/cramping, and/or abnormal heart rhythms.
- RN failed to accurately and completely assess vital signs and oxygen saturations and/or documents assessment when the aforementioned patient had respiratory and mentation changes. RN’s conduct was likely to injure the patient in that subsequent caregivers would rely on RN’s assessments and documentation to provide further care.
In response, RN states she and the nurse technician checked the patient’s oxygen saturation approximately every 30 minutes and she continuously monitored vital signs. RN does not know why the vital signs are not documented in the record and suspects saturations are not in the record due to oversight. In addition, RN states she did not have the opportunity to document all her assessments, saturations and interventions, and she relied on preset alarms and the telemetry tech to notify her of signs of deterioration.
The above actions constitute grounds for disciplinary action in accordance with Section 301.452(b)(10)&(13), Texas Occupations Code, and is a violation of 22 TEX. ADMIN. CODE §217.11(1)(A),(1)(B),(1)(C),(1)(D),(1)(M),(1)(P)&(3)(A) and 22 TEX. ADMIN. CODE §217.12(1)(A),(1)(B),(1)(C)&(4).
However, without valid evidence to defend her side of the story, the RN lost the case. Furthermore, the LVN failed to hire a Texas BON attorney to help her with her case. Because of this, the Texas Board of Nursing disciplined the RN’s license.
Do not be stressed or anxious if you find yourself in a similar situation as that of the RN mentioned above. All you need to do is to find the right RN/LVN license attorney who can help you in the case. Equip yourself with the knowledge and expertise you need for a successful outcome by consulting a knowledgeable and experienced Texas RN/LVN license attorney. Texas Nurse Attorney Yong J. An is an experienced nurse attorney for various licensing cases for the past 16 years and represented over 300 nurses before the Texas BON. Contact the Law Office of Yong J. An 24/7 through text or call at (832) 428-5679.