A charge nurse is observing a licensed practical nurse assist a client who has dysphagia while eating. Which of the following actions by the LPN should the charge nurse identify as providing safe care?

a. MS 10 mg IV every 4 prn for pain

This choice is incorrect because it lacks clarity and proper formatting. "MS" could be misunderstood as "morphine sulfate," but it's not specified. Additionally, "every 4 prn for pain" is not a standard way to write a prescription. It should indicate the frequency (e.g., every 4 hours) and the indication for administration (e.g., prn for pain).

b. Morphine sulfate 10 mg IV q 4 hr IV prn for pain

This choice is the correct transcription of the prescription. It clearly states the medication (morphine sulfate), the dosage (10 mg), the route (IV), the frequency (every 4 hours), and the indication for administration (prn for pain).

c. MSO4 10 mg IVP q 4 prn for pain

This choice is incorrect due to the use of abbreviations that may not be universally understood. While "MSO4" likely stands for morphine sulfate, it's preferable to write it out completely to avoid confusion. Additionally, "q 4" is not clear and should be written as "every 4 hours."

d. Morphine sulfate 10.0 mg every 4 hours IV prn for pain

This choice is incorrect because it specifies the dosage with unnecessary precision (10.0 mg instead of 10 mg). While this level of precision is not typically required in medication prescriptions, it doesn't make the prescription incorrect per se. However, it's not the most common or standard way to write medication orders.

a. Recommend the AP come back later when the record is available:

This option delays the documentation process unnecessarily and may inconvenience the AP.

It doesn't address the issue of maintaining patient confidentiality and accurate documentation.

b. Log out so the AP can log in to document the vital signs:

This is the correct choice as it ensures that each individual's documentation is attributed to the correct user.

It maintains patient confidentiality and adheres to HIPAA regulations.

It allows the AP to complete their task efficiently while preserving the integrity of the electronic record.

c. Offer to chart the vital signs for the AP:

This option involves the nurse taking over the responsibility of documenting the vital signs for the AP, which could lead to confusion and potential errors.

It's not the most appropriate solution as it may not be feasible for the nurse to document the vital signs accurately without directly measuring them.

d. Allow the AP to document the vital signs prior to logging out:

Allowing the AP to document vital signs under the nurse's login compromises the integrity of the electronic record and violates HIPAA regulations.

It's not an acceptable practice as it can lead to inaccuracies in the documentation and compromises patient confidentiality.