A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin 5 mg PO to a client. The amount available is digoxin 0.5 mg/tablet. How many tablets should the nurse administer? (Round the answer to the nearest whole number, Use leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.)

A) Use the provider’s initials after the prescription:
Using the provider's initials after the prescription is not an appropriate or standard practice. The nurse should transcribe the prescription accurately and include the provider's full name or identification, but not initials. The nurse is responsible for ensuring the correct interpretation and transmission of the order, and abbreviations or initials could lead to errors or confusion.

B) Repeat the prescription to the provider:
Repeating the prescription to the provider may not be sufficient. It is important to read the prescription back to the provider to ensure that both the nurse and the provider are in agreement about the medication order. Repeating the prescription is a good practice, but it does not provide the same level of verification as reading it back to ensure its accuracy.

C) Write the prescription in shorthand:
Writing prescriptions in shorthand is unsafe and should be avoided. Shorthand can lead to misunderstandings or misinterpretations of the order, which could result in medication errors. The nurse should transcribe the prescription clearly and in full, without using any abbreviations or shorthand, to ensure clarity and accuracy.

D) Read back the prescription to the provider:
Reading back the prescription to the provider is the correct action. This practice, often referred to as "read-back," helps to confirm that the nurse has accurately heard and understood the provider’s order. It is a safety measure that reduces the likelihood of medication errors, especially in high-risk situations like verbal or telephone orders. The nurse should repeat the prescription verbatim, including dosage, route, frequency, and any other relevant details, to ensure it has been transcribed correctly.

A) Wait 10 sec after placing the probe before obtaining the oxygen saturation reading:
While a brief wait may be necessary for the pulse oximeter to adjust and display a stable reading, there is no need to wait a full 10 seconds after placing the probe before obtaining the reading. Typically, the device should provide an accurate reading within a few seconds after placement.

B) Place the sensor probe on the same extremity as an electronic blood pressure cuff:
The blood pressure cuff can interfere with the oxygen saturation measurement by constricting the blood flow to the extremity. Placing the pulse oximeter sensor on the same arm or hand as the blood pressure cuff could lead to inaccurate readings due to decreased circulation or occlusion of blood flow. It's best to place the pulse oximeter sensor on a different extremity from the cuff.

C) Relocate the sensor every 8 hrs:
This is not necessary unless there are signs of skin breakdown or compromised circulation under the probe. Typically, a pulse oximeter sensor can be left in place on a single site for several hours if it is well-tolerated by the patient. Frequent moving of the sensor could cause unnecessary discomfort or risk of skin irritation, and it's not a routine requirement.

D) Choose a finger with a capillary refill less than 2 sec:
The accuracy of pulse oximetry readings can be influenced by peripheral circulation. A finger with a capillary refill of less than 2 seconds indicates good peripheral perfusion, which is ideal for obtaining an accurate oxygen saturation measurement. Poor circulation, such as that seen with cold extremities or compromised blood flow, can lead to inaccurate readings, so ensuring the finger has adequate circulation is important.