A nurse is reviewing his client care assignments after receiving a change-of-shift report.
The nurse should notify the charge nurse that which of the following tasks should be reassigned to an RN?

Choice A rationale

HS is not approved due to potential misinterpretation as “half-strength” or “hour of sleep.”. The Joint Commission discourages its use to prevent medication errors, emphasizing clarity and standardization in prescription terminology.

Choice B rationale

QD is not an approved abbreviation due to the risk of confusion with QID (four times daily). The Joint Commission recommends writing “daily” instead to minimize errors in medication administration, which could have serious consequences.

Choice C rationale

PO is an approved abbreviation universally understood as “by mouth.”. It is clear, unambiguous, and compliant with safety standards, reducing the likelihood of misinterpretation in medical contexts.

Choice D rationale

SQ is not approved due to potential confusion with SL (sublingual) or SC (subcutaneous). The recommended term is “subcut” or “subcutaneous,” ensuring that instructions for medication administration remain precise and error-free. .

Choice A rationale: Continuing to administer the medication and observing the client for adverse reactions is inappropriate in this scenario. Lack of training on the infusion pump poses a risk of medication errors, which could lead to patient harm. Proper operation of medical devices requires adequate training and understanding to ensure safety and effectiveness. Observing adverse reactions does not prevent potential errors during administration.

Choice B rationale: Notifying the charge nurse and requesting the client to be reassigned to another nurse is the correct action. Nurses must prioritize patient safety and act within their scope of competence. Communicating the lack of training ensures that the task is reassigned to a qualified nurse who can safely and accurately operate the infusion pump, minimizing risks associated with improper use.

Choice C rationale: Referring to the manufacturer's guidelines and proceeding to use the infusion pump is not the best approach. While guidelines provide technical instructions, nurses need hands-on training to fully understand and safely operate medical devices. Misinterpretation of the guidelines or insufficient familiarity with the pump's mechanisms can lead to errors, compromising patient safety.

Choice D rationale: Allowing another nurse to demonstrate the use of the infusion pump and then taking over may seem reasonable but is not ideal in this case. Demonstration alone cannot guarantee adequate competence, as proper training includes practice and assessment. The immediate priority is to ensure safe medication administration, which requires a trained and experienced nurse to handle the infusion pump directly.