Telltale signs of chemical dependency in nurses include which of the following behaviors? (Select all that apply.)

Question

a. Complaints by staff, students, and patients
b. A greater number of injuries caused while moving patients
c. Arriving early or staying late to assist in the narcotic count
d. Frequent absenteeism after days off and for personal emergencies
e. Increased visits to the employee health department or emergency room
f. Work performance that consistently exceeds the expectations of the supervisor

Answer 1

ANS: A, B, C, D, E
Telltale signs of chemical dependency in nurses include behaviors such as complaints by staff, students, and patients; accidents, errors in documentation, a greater number of injuries caused while moving patients or equipment, errors in practice, and poor judgment; increased visits to the employee health department or emergency room, increased volunteering to take calls for others (especially true for evening and night shifts if there are fewer staff members, because this makes stealing patients' drugs easier); arriving early or staying late to assist in the narcotic count; frequent absenteeism after days off and for personal emergencies, especially on a Monday; irritability and mood swings; performing only the minimum amount of work required; inability to perform psychomotor skills, owing to intoxication or tremors.