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 B
Explanation
A. Endangering the elderly: Teratogenicity does not refer to endangering the elderly. It is related to effects on the fetus.
B. Causing birth defects in the unborn fetus: Teratogenic substances are those that can cause birth defects when a pregnant woman is exposed to them.
C. Cancer-causing: Substances that cause cancer are called carcinogens, not teratogens.
D. Endangering the health of the mother: While some teratogens can also affect the mother, the term specifically refers to causing birth defects in the fetus.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Prophylactic: Prophylactic medications are preventive, which is not relevant in the treatment of hypothyroidism.
B. Replacement: The treatment for hypothyroidism involves replacing the deficient thyroid hormone with synthetic hormones like levothyroxine.
C. Palliative: Palliative care is not the standard approach for hypothyroidism. The focus is on hormone replacement therapy.
D. Curative: There is no cure for hypothyroidism, so curative therapy is not applicable.
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