A health care provider prescribes guaifenesin with dextromethorphan 1 tablespoon every 6 hours for a client who has a nonproductive cough.
How many milliliters should a nurse administer for each dose?

Notify the health care provider. The nurse should take this action first because the provider can prescribe appropriate interventions to prevent or minimize harm to the client.

The nurse should also inform the unit supervisor, document the error in the client’s medical record, and record the error on the appropriate quality improvement report, but these are not the priority actions.

Choice A is wrong because informing the unit supervisor is not the most urgent action. The supervisor can provide support and guidance to the nurse, but cannot prescribe interventions for the client.

Choice C is wrong because documenting the error in the client’s medical record is not the most urgent action.

The nurse should document the error after notifying the provider and assessing the client. Documentation should include the medication name, dose, route, time, client’s response, and actions taken.

Choice D is wrong because recording the error on the appropriate quality improvement report is not the most urgent action.

The nurse should record the error after notifying the provider and assessing the client. The report should include a factual description of what happened and what was done.

On a regular schedule around the clock. This is because when pain is present for more than 12 hours a day, analgesic dosages are best administered around the clock rather than on an as-needed basis.

Choice A is wrong because waiting for the client to exhibit physiologic symptoms of pain may delay the administration of analgesics and cause unnecessary suffering. Physiologic symptoms of pain are not always reliable indicators of pain intensity or quality.

Choice B is wrong because administering analgesics prior to painful activities may not provide adequate pain relief throughout the day. Painful activities may vary depending on the client’s condition and preferences.

Choice D is wrong because relying on the client’s request may not ensure optimal pain management. Some clients may be reluctant to ask for analgesics due to fear of addiction, side effects, or being perceived as weak.