A nurse on a medical-surgical unit is performing medication reconciliation for a newly admitted client. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Compare the medication label to the provider’s prescription on three occasions before administration.
Compare the client’s list of home medications to the admission prescriptions written for the client.
Administer medications to treat a condition to the actual prescriptions.
Ensure the medication is administered within 3 hours of the scheduled time.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A reason: Comparing the medication label to the provider’s prescription three times is a safety step during administration, not reconciliation. Reconciliation verifies the client’s home medications against new orders to prevent errors like omissions or duplications. This action occurs post-reconciliation, focusing on administration accuracy, not the initial verification of the medication list.
Choice B reason: Medication reconciliation involves comparing the client’s home medication list to admission prescriptions to ensure continuity and accuracy. This process identifies discrepancies, such as missed medications or incorrect doses, preventing adverse drug events. It requires verifying with the client or family and cross-checking provider orders, making it the cornerstone of safe transitions in care settings.
Choice C reason: Administering medications to treat a condition to the actual prescriptions is unclear and not part of reconciliation. Reconciliation focuses on verifying and documenting medications, not administering them. This option does not align with the systematic process of ensuring all medications are correctly prescribed upon admission, making it incorrect.
Choice D reason: Ensuring administration within 3 hours of the scheduled time relates to medication administration protocols, not reconciliation. Reconciliation verifies the accuracy of the medication list before administration. This step is about timing, not the verification process critical to preventing errors during care transitions, rendering it irrelevant to the task.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Administering oxygen is premature without assessing the cause of chest heaviness. While hypoxia may occur in aneurysm rupture, stopping exertion reduces cardiovascular demand first, prioritizing safety in a client with an abdominal aortic aneurysm at risk for rupture.
Choice B reason: Having the client sit down is the priority, as chest heaviness may signal aneurysm instability. Rest reduces aortic wall stress and oxygen demand, preventing rupture or dissection, stabilizing the client for further assessment and intervention in this high-risk condition.
Choice C reason: Checking vital signs is important but secondary to stopping exertion. Chest heaviness suggests potential aneurysm rupture, and continued ambulation risks catastrophe. Sitting the client minimizes cardiovascular stress, allowing subsequent vital sign checks to guide further actions effectively.
Choice D reason: Notifying the provider is critical but not first. Chest heaviness requires immediate cessation of activity to reduce aortic pressure. Sitting stabilizes the client, allowing data collection (e.g., vital signs) before provider notification, ensuring urgent intervention for potential aneurysm complications.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: A heart rate of 60/min is within normal range and does not indicate fluid overload, which may present with tachycardia due to increased cardiac workload. This finding is more consistent with normal physiology or hypovolemia, making it incorrect for identifying fluid overload.
Choice B reason: Skin warm and dry suggests normal hydration or dehydration, not fluid overload, which typically causes edema or moist skin. Dry skin indicates fluid deficit, not excess, making this finding irrelevant and incorrect for assessing fluid overload in this client.
Choice C reason: A respiratory rate of 30/min indicates tachypnea, a sign of fluid overload due to pulmonary edema from excess IV fluids. Fluid in the lungs impairs gas exchange, increasing breathing effort, aligning with clinical manifestations of overload, making this the correct finding.
Choice D reason: Tenting skin turgor indicates dehydration, not fluid overload, as it reflects reduced skin elasticity from fluid loss. Fluid overload causes edema, not tenting, making this finding opposite to the expected presentation and incorrect for this scenario.
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