hi,im am a 21 year old home health aide,i had a question regarding a person i take care of,he has duchenne muscular dystrophy and he has bad anxiety,but hes very tired,and not really able to swallow the pill safely,could i crush it and with warm water, good enough so he can have it in the g-Tube ???
Can lorazepam(1mg) be crushed(for people with G-tube)?
Question posted by homehealthaide21 on 1 May 2013
Last updated on 10 May 2013
if i can crush it in his G-tube..how much water do i dissolve it with??
Answers
ALWAYS, always be sure that what you are doing is within the scope of what is legal for you to do. Kaismama is correct. Most states require an RN or LPN give meds through a g-tube (unless it is a member of the family, of course) but since you are there in a professional capacity you need to be sure that anything you do is within your scope of practice. I once worked with an RN who didnt do this and she ended up being sued and lost her license so the ramifications can be huge! Dont rely on your company to tell you what is what-find out for yourself!
In most states home health aids can't legally give meds, especially thru a g tube. It can be crushed and put in a small amount of water and then followed by at least 60 cc of water.
oh ok..i didnt know that..i will deffinetly talk to my company today! and thank you very much
Many agencies get around some of it by having the family put the patients meds in a pill box and the aid just hands the patients their meds and the patient puts it in their own mouth. But peg tube meds are definitely a no no.
Related topics
anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, lorazepam, muscular dystrophy
Further information
- Lorazepam uses and safety info
- Lorazepam prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Lorazepam (detailed)
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