A nurse is planning to administer olanzapine 10 mg IM to a client who has schizophrenia. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

A. Requiring staff nurses to demonstrate competency by passing a medication administration examination: While competency assessments are essential, initiating this as the first strategy may not address the root causes of medication administration errors. It's important to first understand the specific factors contributing to errors by reviewing the events leading up to each error before implementing competency assessments. This allows for a targeted approach to addressing gaps in knowledge or skills related to medication administration.
B. Providing an in-service on medication administration to all nurses: While education and training are valuable components of error reduction strategies, providing an in-service as the first step may not address the underlying system issues contributing to medication errors. Education should complement other interventions aimed at improving the medication administration process, such as system redesign or standardization of practices.
C. Developing a quality improvement program for nurses involved in medication administration errors: Implementing a quality improvement program for nurses involved in errors is important for learning from mistakes and preventing recurrence. However, developing such a program should be informed by a thorough analysis of the events leading to errors. Without understanding the root causes, it may be challenging to develop effective improvement initiatives.
D. Reviewing the events leading up to each medication administration error: This strategy is the most appropriate initial step. Conducting a detailed review of each error allows the committee to identify patterns, common factors, and system issues contributing to medication errors. By understanding the specific circumstances surrounding each error, the committee can develop targeted interventions to address root causes and prevent future errors. This approach aligns with the principles of continuous quality improvement, focusing on data-driven analysis and proactive problem-solving.

A. Pain: The client's flinching when the nurse palpates his abdomen suggests that he may be experiencing pain. Pain can cause behavioral changes in older adults, including withdrawal, decreased verbal communication, and altered facial expressions. The client's inability to verbally communicate but ability to nod and smile in response to questions further supports the possibility of pain affecting his behavior.
B. Confusion: While confusion could be a factor contributing to the client's behavior, the flinching in response to palpation of the abdomen indicates a physical discomfort that is more indicative of pain rather than solely confusion.
C. Language barrier: A language barrier might impede effective communication, but it does not directly explain the client's flinching in response to abdominal palpation. Additionally, the client's ability to nod and smile suggests some level of understanding and communication, albeit limited.
D. Difficulty hearing: Difficulty hearing could affect the client's ability to respond to verbal cues, but it does not explain the physical response of flinching when his abdomen is palpated. The client's non-verbal responses also indicate some level of hearing or understanding of communication.