Question

1. A staff nurse believes the client is bleeding excessively following a vaginal delivery. The nurse notifies the physician but the MD does not order any treatment. Can the nurse be found liable if the client dies or is harmed by the bleeding? What are the proper steps the nurse should follow to provide care for this client? 2. The nurse was not familiar with one of the medications ordered for her client. The nurse talked to two physicians at the nurses station and gave the medication after they said the dose was fine. The client dies as a result of the medication. Is this nurse liable? What are the proper steps to giving an unknown medication? 3. An infant developed brain damage when the apnea monitoring system equipment failed to alert the staff that he had stopped breathing. Are the nurses liable? What are the proper steps to preventing a scenario like this?

Answer 1

Sol : Yes nurses are liable if the patient dies or harmed by the bleeding. The nurse should know the reasons for post partum bleeding which includes tissue, trauma, thrambi and atonic uterus. so the nurse should do initial assessment for bleeding. Check for reatained placental bits in the uterine wall, any blood clot in uterus, any injury to the cervix and tone of the uterus.

If she found any above reasons she should respond immediately like removal of bits and blood from uterus, suturing the traumatic area and start inj. oxylocin in case of alenic uterus.

2) Sol :- Yes nurse is liable if the patient dies as a result of medication.