A health care provider has written an order for digoxin for the patient, but the nurse cannot read whether the order is for 0.25 mg or 0.125 mg. What action would be the best to prevent a medication error?
Check the dosage with a more experienced nurse.
Consult a drug handbook and administer the normal dose.
Contact the hospital pharmacist about the order.
Contact the health care provider to clarify the illegible order.
The Correct Answer is D
A: Checking the dosage with a more experienced nurse is not the best action. While it may provide some guidance, it does not ensure the accuracy of the order.
B: Consulting a drug handbook and administering the normal dose is not appropriate. The nurse must verify the specific order for the patient rather than assuming a standard dose.
C: Contacting the hospital pharmacist about the order can be helpful, but the pharmacist may not be able to clarify the prescriber’s intent if the order is illegible.
D: Contacting the health care provider to clarify the illegible order is the best action. This ensures that the nurse administers the correct dose as intended by the prescriber, preventing medication errors.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A: Degenerative joint changes can affect mobility and overall health but do not directly contribute to aspiration pneumonia.
B: Decreased gastric secretions can affect digestion but are not a primary factor in the development of aspiration pneumonia.
C: A decreased sense of smell can affect appetite and food intake but does not directly lead to aspiration pneumonia.
D: A diminished cough reflex is a significant age-related change that can contribute to the development of aspiration pneumonia. The cough reflex helps clear the airway of food, liquid, and other foreign materials. When this reflex is diminished, the risk of aspiration and subsequent pneumonia increases.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A: Having another nurse witness the wasted medication is the correct procedure. This ensures accountability and compliance with regulations regarding the handling and disposal of controlled substances.
B: Returning the wasted medication to the medication dispenser is not appropriate. Once a narcotic has been withdrawn, it cannot be returned to the dispenser due to contamination and safety protocols.
C: Placing the wasted portion of the medication in the sharps container is not correct. Narcotics should be disposed of according to specific protocols, which typically involve witnessing and documentation, not simply placing them in a sharps container.
D: Exiting the medication room to call the health care provider to request an order that matches the dosages is unnecessary. The nurse should follow the proper procedure for wasting the medication with a witness.
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