Many people often get confused with “nurse dose” or “nursing dose.” So, in general, what is the nursing dose? This article is going to discuss this term in detail.
Table of Contents
What is a Nurse Dose?
A nurse dose is a medication when a nurse uses their discretion to exceed or reduce the limit of dose. This practice is often used when the patient’s condition is not well-controlled by the ordered dose or when the patient is in danger of deteriorating quickly and needs a higher dose than what is ordered by the doctor.
Example of Nurse Dose Calculation
Here is a simple example: a doctor orders 1 mg of a medication for a patient. The nurse can give up to 2 mg of the drug, depending on the patient’s condition. The nurse would calculate the dose by multiplying the ordered quantity by 2 (1 mg x 2 = 2 mg).
What are the Types of Nurse Doses?
There are two main types of nurse doses: discretionary and mandatory.
- Discretionary nurse doses are those that the nurse has the discretion to administer or not, depending on the patient’s condition. For example, a nurse dose gets into the notion if the patient is in danger of deteriorating quickly and needs a higher dose than what is ordered by the doctor.
- Mandatory nurse doses are those that the nurse is required to administer, regardless of the patient’s condition. For example, a mandatory nurse dose of a medication might be given if the patient is pregnant or if the medication is considered to be a life-saving drug.
Potential Risks of a Nurse Dose?
The practice of nurse dosing is controversial, as it can potentially lead t to medication errors if the nurse is not careful. It is vital for nurses to be aware of the risks involved in nurse dosing and to use their best judgment when deciding whether or not to administer a higher dose than what is ordered.
License
When nurses go beyond the prescribed medicine doses, they put their licenses at risk. This is because they don’t have any license to make decisions to decide the dose limits of any patient.
Non Documentation
Nursing dose leads to the data malfunctioning. An extra dose never goes on the record. This act is unprofessional and immoral and results in an unreliable patient chart.
Patient Outcome
When a nurse gives a nursing dose, it also puts patients at risk. It is not a good sign for a patient. Nurses have some sense of understanding, but they are not allowed to make decisions for doses.
What are the Precautions when Administering a Nurse Dose?
When no solution is available, and you are under staff and due to any condition, if you have to provide a nursing dose to save a patient, then below are the points that you need to take care of:
- Make sure that the patient is not allergic to the medication. If they are, then it could do more harm than good.
- Make sure that you have the correct dose and route of administration for the patient.
- Observe the patient closely after administering the medication to ensure that they do not have any adverse reactions.
- Document everything that you do. It is important for legal reasons and to make sure that the patient receives the best possible care.
What to do if a Mistake is Made while Administering a Nurse Dose?
If a mistake is made, it is the most important thing to take immediate action to rectify the situation and prevent any further errors. These are the following steps that need to be taken:
1. Stop giving the medication immediately.
2. Notify the nurse immediately.
3. Document the incident in the patient’s medical record.
4. Follow the policies and procedures of the facility.
FAQs:
What is the nurse dose meaning?
A nurse dose is a medical term that refers to the amount of a drug or other substance administered to a patient by a nurse.
What does it mean when a nurse is suspended?
When a nurse is suspended, their nursing license has been temporarily removed. It can be due to several reasons, such as disciplinary action or an investigation into possible misconduct. A suspension can last for a set period or until the nurse takes specific activities, such as completing a rehabilitation program. During a suspension, the nurse cannot work in any capacity.
Conclusion
In this post, we have tried to explain a nursing dose and how it is calculated. Although there are some advantages, some disadvantages should be considered before using this method. Overall, we believe that nurses should avoid using this method when possible.
Mrs. Marie Brown has been a registered nurse for over 25 years. She began her nursing career at a Level I Trauma Center in downtown Chicago, Illinois. There she worked in the Emergency Department and on the Surgical Intensive Care Unit. After several years, she moved to the Midwest and continued her nursing career in a critical care setting. For the last 10 years of her nursing career, Mrs. Brown worked as a flight nurse with an air ambulance service. During this time, she cared for patients throughout the United States.