A nurse is reviewing the medication profile of a geriatric patient who has several comorbidities. Which finding would warrant priority action?

A. Complete blood count (CBC): A CBC is a standard laboratory test to evaluate overall health and detect a wide range of disorders, including infection or anemia. It is not contraindicated and may be necessary for comprehensive patient care.

B. Placement on a cardiac monitor: Cardiac monitoring is appropriate in cases of overdose as many substances can affect the heart. It helps in early detection of any arrhythmias or other cardiac complications.

C. Activated charcoal: Activated charcoal is typically used to bind substances in the gastrointestinal tract to prevent absorption. However, in the case of a caustic substance, it is generally contraindicated because it does not bind well to such substances and may obscure endoscopic evaluation.

D. Inducing vomiting: Inducing vomiting is contraindicated in cases of caustic substance ingestion because it can cause additional damage to the esophagus and mouth. It is important to avoid this action to prevent further injury.

A. The patient takes 4 medications each day.
Taking multiple medications is common in geriatric patients and does not warrant immediate priority action unless there is evidence of polypharmacy or interactions.

B. The patient states that the medications are delivered by the local pharmacy.
This is a routine aspect of medication management and does not present an immediate concern.

C. The patient is able to describe each medication and why it is being taken.
This indicates that the patient is knowledgeable about their medications, which is positive and does not require immediate action.

D. The patient skips a dose of certain medications sometimes. Skipping doses can lead to subtherapeutic levels of medication, potentially worsening the patient's condition or leading to medication errors. This requires immediate attention to ensure proper adherence to the medication regimen.