Signs and Symptoms of the Drug-addicted Nurse
April 1, 1999 less than 1 minute read
Signs and Symptoms of the Drug-addicted Nurse
1. Extreme and rapid mood swings: irritable with patients, then calm after taking drugs
2. Suspicious behavior concerning controlled drugs:
• Consistently signs out more controlled drugs than anyone else
• Frequently breaks or spills drugs
• Purposely waits until alone to open narcotics cabinet
• Consistently volunteers to be med nurse
• Disappears into bathroom directly after being in narcotics cabinet
• Vials appear altered
• Incorrect narcotic count
• Discrepancies between patients’ reports and other patient’s reports on effective medica tions, etc.
• Patient complains that pain medication dispensed by the nurse are ineffective
• Defensive when asked about medication errors.
3. Illogical or sloppy charting.
4. Frequently absent from unit.
5. Comes to work early and stays late for no reason — hangs around.
6. Lavishly uses sick leave.
Source: Ohio Board of Nursing, Compliance Unit, Columbus.
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