A nurse is preparing to administer pain medication to a postoperative client who had a total knee replacement and reports pain as 5 on a scale of 0 to 10. Which of the following PRN medications should the nurse plan to administer?

A) Document the administration of the medication: Documentation of medication administration is an essential step in the medication administration process, ensuring accurate recording of the time, dose, route, and client's response to the medication. However, before administering a controlled substance, the nurse should first identify the client using two identifiers to prevent medication errors.

B) Identify the client using two identifiers: This is the correct initial action. Verifying the client's identity using two identifiers, such as name and date of birth, is a crucial safety measure to ensure that the medication is administered to the correct individual. By confirming the client's identity, the nurse helps prevent medication errors and promotes patient safety.

C) Remove the medication from the medication dispensing cabinet: While obtaining the medication from the medication dispensing cabinet is necessary for administration, it should occur after confirming the client's identity. Identifying the client using two identifiers is the priority to ensure accurate medication administration.

D) Compare the amount of medication available to the inventory record: Verifying the amount of medication available against the inventory record is an important step in medication management to maintain adequate stock levels and prevent medication shortages. However, it is not the first action the nurse should take before administering a controlled substance. Confirming the client's identity is the priority to ensure safe medication administration.

A) Discontinue the infusion: While discontinuing the parenteral nutrition infusion may be necessary in severe cases of hypoglycemia, it should not be the initial action unless the client's condition warrants it. Discontinuing the infusion without providing alternative sources of glucose may exacerbate the hypoglycemia and lead to further complications.

B) Obtain arterial blood gases: Arterial blood gases (ABGs) are not typically indicated for evaluating hypoglycemia. While ABGs provide valuable information about acid-base balance and oxygenation status, they do not directly assess blood glucose levels or contribute to the management of hypoglycemia.

C) Warm formula to room temperature: Warming the parenteral nutrition formula to room temperature may improve comfort during administration, but it is not directly related to managing hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia requires prompt intervention to raise blood sugar levels, and warming the formula would not address the immediate need for glucose supplementation.

D) Administer IV dextrose: Hypoglycemia is a potentially serious complication of parenteral nutrition administration, especially if the infusion rate is too high or if the client's metabolic needs are not adequately met. IV dextrose, a concentrated glucose solution, is the most appropriate intervention for treating hypoglycemia in this situation. It provides a rapid source of glucose to raise blood sugar levels quickly and effectively.