A nurse is administering 4 mg of hydromorphone to a client by mouth every 4 hr. The medication is provided as hydromorphone 8 mg per tablet. Which of the following actions is appropriate for the nurse to take?
Dispose of the remaining medication while another nurse observes.
Store the remaining half of the pill in the automated medication dispensing system.
Place the remaining half of the pill in the unit-dose package.
Return the remaining medication to the facility's pharmacy.
The Correct Answer is A
A. Dispose of the remaining medication while another nurse observes:
This is the correct choice. When a nurse administers a fraction of a tablet, it is not safe or appropriate to store the remaining portion for future use, even if another dose is scheduled. Hydromorphone tablets are meant to be taken whole, and cutting or breaking them can lead to inconsistent dosages. It's important to follow safe medication administration practices and dispose of the unused portion while another nurse observes, ensuring proper disposal.
B. Store the remaining half of the pill in the automated medication dispensing system:
This choice is incorrect. Storing a fraction of a tablet in the automated medication dispensing system is not appropriate. The system is designed for intact medications, and splitting tablets could compromise the accuracy and safety of future doses.
C. Place the remaining half of the pill in the unit-dose package:
This choice is incorrect. Placing a partial tablet back into a unit-dose package could lead to confusion and potential administration errors in the future. The medication packaging should reflect the correct and complete dosage as prescribed.
D. Return the remaining medication to the facility's pharmacy:
This choice is incorrect. Returning a partially used tablet to the pharmacy is not advisable, as the pharmacy cannot ensure the tablet's integrity or accurately verify its dosage. Medication storage and handling standards are in place to ensure patient safety, and using a fraction of a tablet may compromise those standards.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. "Plan to self-administer this medication for the next 6 months": The duration of treatment may vary based on individual circumstances and medical evaluation. It's not appropriate to make a blanket statement about the treatment duration.
B. "Administer the medication into one nostril once per week."
Cyanocobalamin is a form of vitamin B12 that is used to treat pernicious anemia. It can be administered via nasal spray in some cases. The appropriate dosing for nasal cyanocobalamin usually involves administration once a week. The client should be instructed to administer the medication into one nostril as directed by their healthcare provider.
C. "Lie down for 1 hour after administering the medication": There is no need for the client to lie down for an extended period after administering nasal cyanocobalamin.
D. "Use a nasal decongestant 15 minutes before the medication if you have a stuffy nose": This is not a standard recommendation for administering nasal cyanocobalamin. The client should follow the specific instructions provided by their healthcare provider.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Increased blood pressure:
An elevated aPTT (activated partial thromboplastin time) suggests that the client is receiving heparin therapy. Heparin is an anticoagulant that prevents blood clotting. It's not likely to cause a significant increase in blood pressure directly. Changes in blood pressure may occur due to other factors, but they are not directly related to heparin therapy.
B. Decreased temperature:
Heparin administration does not typically have a direct effect on body temperature. Changes in body temperature might be due to other factors such as infection, but they are not a primary consideration when assessing the effects of heparin therapy.
C. Decreased respiratory rate:
Heparin administration is not known to directly affect respiratory rate. Changes in respiratory rate could be related to respiratory conditions, pain, or other factors unrelated to heparin therapy.
D. Increased pulse rate:
This is the correct choice. Heparin is known to affect the clotting process by inhibiting clot formation. An extended aPTT of 90 seconds indicates that the client's blood is taking longer to form clots than the normal range. This could lead to concerns about potential bleeding complications. Increased pulse rate could be an early sign of bleeding or decreased perfusion, as the body may attempt to compensate for reduced blood volume due to prolonged clotting times.
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