Name: Jazzel G. Lincuna
Course & Sec.: BSN 4 - MARTINSEN
The Somera Case taught me a big lesson about being a student nurse and an
aspiring nurse in the future. Lorenza Somera, the head nurse, got in trouble for giving the
wrong medication to a patient. Instead of Novocaine solution, she gave cocaine with
adrenalin. We all agree that it is her fault since she's the one who gave it to the doctor.
She did confirm the doctor's order but her big mistake is that she doesn't question whether
the medicine was correct. She should be aware that cocaine is a highly addicitve
substance that can be life-threatening especially when overdose. This act results to
reckless imprudence that resulted to the death of the patient. Somera was accused of
homicide and condemned on May 1929 in Manila to 1 year imprisonment. However, the
nurse was not only the one to blame, the doctor also made a mistake on ordering a wrong
medication that was testified by the student nurse. Therefore, both of them must face all
of the legal consequences.
I've realized that nurses should not only depend on what the doctor says. Nurses
have to be attentive, made sure that everything's correct, and always ask questions if
unsure of something because a life of the patient is at stake. Nurses must know the drug,
it's indication, contraindications, side or adverse effects, and nursing considerations
before giving it to the patient. It is one of the basic responsibility a nurse should have.
In essence, the Somera Case was a wakeup call for all of us studying to become
nurses. It taught us about the weight of responsibility we carry, applying knowledge, skills,
and attitude, the need for being observant, the importance of following rules, and above
all, the absolute priority of ensuring the safety and well-being of our patients.