A nurse finds an open vial of morphine lying on top of the cabinet in a client's room. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Independently dispose of the remaining medication.
Return the medication to the unit's stock for future use.
Administer the medication to other clients to avoid waste.
Report the discrepancy immediately.
The Correct Answer is D
A. Independently disposing of the remaining medication may not be in compliance with facility policies and could potentially interfere with an investigation into how the medication was left unattended.
B. Returning the medication to the unit's stock for future use is not appropriate, as the vial is already open and its integrity may be compromised.
C. Administering the medication to other clients is absolutely not an option. This could lead to serious harm or even fatal consequences for the other clients involved.
D. When a nurse discovers an open vial of medication left unattended, it is a serious safety concern. The nurse should report the discrepancy immediately to the appropriate personnel or supervisor. This ensures that the situation is addressed promptly and that necessary actions are taken to prevent potential harm to clients.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Observing the client's respiratory status is also important, but it is an ongoing assessment rather than an immediate action.
B. Monitoring intake and output every 8 hours is important for overall fluid balance, but it is not the top priority in this situation.
C. This is crucial to prevent aspiration, which can occur if the feeding formula enters the lungs, leading to pneumonia or other serious complications. Elevating the head of the bed helps keep the esophagus above the stomach, reducing the risk of aspiration.
D. Checking residual volume every 4 to 6 hours is a part of enteral feeding care, but it is not the top priority. Monitoring respiratory status takes precedence due to the potential risk of aspiration.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Having the client wear a mask is the most appropriate precaution for safely
transporting a client with active pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) who requires airborne precautions. This helps contain potentially infectious respiratory droplets.
B. Asking the x-ray technician to come to the client's room to obtain a portable X-ray is a reasonable option, but it may not always be feasible depending on the facility's resources and policies.
C. Notifying the x-ray department that the client requires airborne precautions is an important step, but it is not sufficient on its own. The client should also wear a mask during transport.
D. Wearing a filtration mask and gloves during transport is not enough. The nurse should also ensure that the client is wearing a mask to contain respiratory secretions.
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