A nurse is preparing to administer a medication to a client for the first time. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to help ensure safe medication administration?
Read the medication label twice prior to administration.
Use one patient identifier prior to medication administration.
Access the online drug formulary for an unfamiliar medication.
Ask the client if they have ever taken a similar medication.
The Correct Answer is A
A. Read the medication label twice prior to administration.
This action is crucial to ensure that the nurse correctly identifies the medication and verifies the dosage before administering it to the patient. By double-checking the medication label, the nurse can confirm that they have the right medication, in the correct dose, for the correct patient, and via the correct route. This practice helps prevent medication errors and promotes patient safety.
B. Use one patient identifier prior to medication administration.
Explanation: Using at least one patient identifier, such as the patient's name or date of birth, is a standard safety practice to confirm the patient's identity before administering any medication. This helps ensure that the medication is given to the right patient, reducing the risk of administering medications to the wrong individual.
C. Access the online drug formulary for an unfamiliar medication.
Explanation: While it's essential to be knowledgeable about medications, relying solely on an online drug formulary for unfamiliar medications may not be sufficient for safe administration. Online resources can provide valuable information, but they should supplement, not replace, comprehensive education and understanding of medications. Nurses should have a solid understanding of the medications they administer and consult additional resources as needed.
D. Ask the client if they have ever taken a similar medication.
Explanation: While it's important to gather information from the patient about their medical history and previous experiences with medications, solely relying on the patient's response may not be sufficient for ensuring safe medication administration. Patients may not always accurately recall or provide complete information about their medication history. Nurses should verify medication orders through appropriate channels and rely on documented medical records whenever possible to confirm medication history and suitability for administration.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Avoid pinching the skin when injecting the needle:
This instruction is not specific to the use of a prefilled, multidose pen for insulin administration. Pinching the skin may be necessary for some injection techniques but is not directly related to the use of a prefilled pen.
B. Use pen needles that have a safe-needle protection device attached.
Using pen needles with a safe-needle protection device attached ensures safe handling and disposal of the needle after use, reducing the risk of accidental needlestick injuries. These devices help prevent accidental needlesticks by covering the needle after use, reducing the risk of transmission of bloodborne pathogens.
C. Use the dominant hand to recap the needle before removing it from the pen device:
Recapping needles is not recommended as it increases the risk of needlestick injuries. Additionally, the use of the dominant hand for recapping is not essential and may not be safe practice.
D. Remove the needle from the pen device before placing the needle in a sharps container:
It's crucial to dispose of needles safely in a sharps container immediately after use without removing the needle from the pen device. Removing the needle before disposal increases the risk of needlestick injuries. The entire pen needle unit, including the needle, should be disposed of intact into an appropriate sharps container to minimize the risk of injury to healthcare workers and others handling the waste.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. The client adjusts the head of their bed to 90°: Adjusting the head of the bed to 90° is a correct action for clients with dysphagia as it helps facilitate swallowing by promoting an upright position, reducing the risk of aspiration.
B. The client drinks their thickened juice with a straw.
Drinking thickened liquids with a straw is not recommended for clients with dysphagia. Straws can increase the risk of aspiration, as they bypass the natural protection mechanisms in the mouth and throat that help prevent liquids from entering the airway. Therefore, the nurse should intervene and provide the client with an appropriate drinking cup instead of a straw when consuming thickened liquids.
C. The client tucks their chin when they swallow: Tucking the chin when swallowing is a recommended technique for clients with dysphagia, as it helps close off the airway and directs the food or liquid toward the esophagus, reducing the risk of aspiration.
D. The client takes frequent breaks while eating: Taking frequent breaks while eating is a beneficial strategy for clients with dysphagia, as it allows them to rest and swallow safely without feeling rushed or overwhelmed by large amounts of food or liquid.
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