A nurse has prepared the 0900 dose of medication and is called to another patient's room for a cardiac arrest.
Who may administer the medication?
The charge nurse.
Only the nurse who prepared them.
Any RN or LPN on the unit who is familiar with the patient and their condition.
The pharmacy technician.
Correct Answer : A,C
Choice A rationale
The charge nurse, by virtue of their leadership role and oversight of unit operations, is typically authorized to ensure patient safety and continuity of care. This includes re-verifying and administering medications in urgent situations when the preparing nurse is unavailable, adhering to established protocols and double-checking the medication before administration to prevent errors.
Choice B rationale
Limiting medication administration solely to the preparing nurse could delay critical treatment, especially during emergencies. While optimal, this practice is superseded by the need for timely patient care and adherence to a "second nurse check" policy, which enhances safety by having an additional qualified professional verify the medication.
Choice C rationale
Any licensed Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) on the unit, if familiar with the patient and their condition, possesses the scope of practice and clinical competency to administer medications. This ensures patient safety through appropriate verification, patient identification, and adherence to the "rights" of medication administration, maintaining continuity of care.
Choice D rationale
Pharmacy technicians are not licensed healthcare professionals authorized to administer medications directly to patients. Their scope of practice is limited to preparing, packaging, and distributing medications under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist, lacking the clinical assessment and administration privileges of nursing staff.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
The "prn" abbreviation stands for "pro re nata," which is Latin for "as needed.”. This indicates that the medication should be administered based on the patient's symptoms or specific needs, rather than on a fixed schedule. The nurse assesses the patient and administers the medication only when the patient exhibits the conditions for which the medication is prescribed, adhering to the minimum 6-hour interval for safety and therapeutic efficacy. This allows for individualized pain management.
Choice B rationale
This statement is incorrect because a "prn" order does not imply around-the-clock administration. Around-the-clock dosing is typically for scheduled medications where a consistent drug level is desired to manage chronic conditions or prevent symptoms, regardless of the patient's immediate need. Administering a prn medication routinely could lead to unnecessary drug exposure or adverse effects.
Choice C rationale
While waiting 6 hours between doses is crucial to prevent drug accumulation and toxicity, stating "I must wait 6 hours before administering this medication to you" is an incomplete explanation for a PRN order. The primary determinant for administration is the patient's need, not simply the passage of time. The 6-hour interval is a safety parameter to ensure adequate drug clearance and prevent exceeding therapeutic thresholds.
Choice D rationale
Administering a medication "over 6 hours" refers to the duration of infusion, not the frequency of administration. This statement is typically relevant for intravenous infusions where the drug is diluted and infused slowly over a specific period. A prn order for oral medication generally means an immediate dose is given when needed, and the interval between doses is 6 hours, not the infusion time.
Correct Answer is ["75"]
Explanation
Step 1 is 1.5 L × 1000 mL/L = 1500 mL.
Step 2 is 1500 mL ÷ 20 hours = 75 mL/hour.
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