A nurse from the adult medical unit is pulled to the geriatric unit. The nurse notes that many of the common medications provided are in lower doses than typically prescribed. What action by the nurse is the highest priority?
Notify the charge nurse that patients may have received inappropriate medication dosages.
Evaluate the laboratory values of each patient to determine liver and kidney function as a possible reason for decreased dosages
Do not worry about the discrepancy because this is not the nurse's unit.
Call the nursing supervisor to investigate the nurse's concerns.
The Correct Answer is B
A. Notify the charge nurse that patients may have received inappropriate medication dosages.
Jumping to conclusions about inappropriate dosages without first investigating the rationale for the dosing is premature and could cause unnecessary alarm.
B. Evaluate the laboratory values of each patient to determine liver and kidney function as a possible reason for decreased dosages. Lower dosages are often prescribed for older adults due to decreased liver and kidney function, which can affect drug metabolism and excretion. Evaluating lab values ensures that these dosages are appropriate and safe.
C. Do not worry about the discrepancy because this is not the nurse's unit.
Ignoring the discrepancy is not appropriate, as it’s important for all nurses to advocate for patient safety, regardless of the unit.
D. Call the nursing supervisor to investigate the nurse's concerns.
The nursing supervisor may need to be involved, but the first step is to review the relevant clinical data (lab values) to assess the situation.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Prophylactic antibiotics are used to prevent infections and are not a standard part of palliative care unless specifically needed.
B. Curative therapy aims to cure the disease. Hospice care focuses on comfort, not cure, especially in terminal conditions like advanced cancer.
C. Diagnostic medications are used for diagnostic testing and are not typically needed in hospice care.
D. Palliative therapy is the correct approach in hospice care, focusing on relieving symptoms and improving the quality of life for patients with terminal conditions.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. A medication that supports physiological well-being: A placebo does not have active therapeutic effects and is used in research, not for direct physiological support.
B. Medication designed to have more benefits than risks: This statement refers to a drug with a favorable benefit-risk profile, not a placebo.
C. An inactive substance that is used for comparison in drug studies: This is the correct definition of a placebo. It is an inactive substance that has no therapeutic effect, used to compare against the active drug in clinical trials.
D. The active ingredient in a drug preparation: This statement describes the component responsible for the therapeutic effect of a drug, not a placebo.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.