A nurse is teaching about delegation with a newly licensed nurse.
Which of the following statements if made by the newly licensed nurse indicates understanding?

The correct answer is: A

Choice A reason: Providing the nurse administering medications with an identifying vest can help reduce medication errors by making it easier for other staff and patients to identify the nurse responsible for medication administration. This can minimize interruptions and distractions, which are common causes of medication errors. It also serves as a visual reminder to the nurse of their critical role in medication safety.

Choice B reason: Removing medications from automatic dispensing systems before they are reviewed by pharmacists is not a recommended practice. Pharmacists play a crucial role in reviewing prescriptions for accuracy and potential drug interactions before dispensing. Therefore, medications should remain in the dispensing system until they have been properly reviewed and approved by a pharmacist.

Choice C reason: Waiting to document medications given to clients until the end of a shift is not advisable. Accurate and timely documentation is essential in healthcare, particularly when it comes to medication administration. Documentation should occur as soon as the medication is given to ensure that all healthcare providers have up-to-date information and to prevent errors such as omissions or duplications.

Choice D reason: Preparing medications for multiple clients at the same time increases the risk of errors, such as mix-ups between patients or incorrect dosing. It is best practice to prepare and administer medications for one client at a time, following the ‘five rights’ of medication administration: the right patient, the right drug, the right dose, the right route, and the right time.

Choice A rationale:

The nurse should not inform the client of the need to pre-pay for the consent of authorization. Precertification for surgery is related to obtaining approval from the client's insurance provider and not about pre-payment.

Choice B rationale:

Contacting the client's insurance carrier to obtain authorization is the correct action to take when obtaining precertification for surgery. Many insurance companies require pre-authorization for surgical procedures to ensure coverage and to confirm that the procedure is medically necessary. This step is essential to prevent financial burdens on the client and ensure they have coverage for the surgery.

Choice C rationale:

Notifying the provider to obtain approval for the surgery is not the nurse's responsibility in the context of precertification. The primary responsibility lies with obtaining approval from the client's insurance carrier.

Choice D rationale:

Witnessing the client sign the surgical consent form is an essential step in the surgical preparation process but is not the same as obtaining precertification. Precertification involves confirming insurance coverage and approval for the surgery, which is the responsibility of the insurance carrier, not the client's consent.