In the Gore District Court last week, the woman, whose name is suppressed, pleaded guilty to the September theft and possessing a Class B drug.
She denied neglecting a vulnerable adult by replacing a patient’s morphine with water and risking the suffering of the alleged victim through no effective pain relief.
The defendant has chosen a judge-alone trial for the neglect charge, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment.
The court heard the nurse was working at an aged-care facility in Gore, and in charge of giving medications to the elderly residents.
On September 18, she unlocked the "dangerous drugs" cupboard and took a 50ml bottle of orally administered morphine and a packet of intravenous midazolam, a potent sedative.
She then unlocked the medical supply cupboard, taking a syringe and "several" needles and left work that day with the stolen items and medications.
Both medications were prescribed to the alleged victim in this case, for use by the facility to relieve severe pain and assist in end-of-life care.
The rest-home’s policy required two staff members be present during the retrieval of those medications and the process be recorded, the court heard.
The police summary said at some point between that day and September 22, the nurse replaced 30ml of the morphine with water and a "seal" was added to the bottle.
On September 22, the nurse arrived back at work and that morning again accessed the dangerous drugs cupboard, returning the tampered-with bottle.
Three days later, police attended the facility and a search of the nurse’s possessions recovered four intravenous needles, an empty needle packet and a midazolam packet.
The defendant admitted stealing the drugs and medical supplies but said they were not intended for recreational use.
She said she believed the morphine bottle was old, and therefore would not be used.
She will appear in court again at the end of the month, where the continued suppression of her name will be argued.
