A nurse opens unit-dose of a prescribed medication prior to administering it to a client. After education, the client refuses to take the medication. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Notify the facility’s ethics committee
Return the opened medication in the medication cart
Report the incident to the provider
Fill out an incident report
The Correct Answer is C
A) Notify the facility’s ethics committee:
While it may be relevant to involve an ethics committee in certain complex situations, such as when there are concerns about patient autonomy or ethical decision-making, the refusal of a medication by a client is generally a standard issue that does not immediately require ethics consultation.
B) Return the opened medication in the medication cart:
Returning an opened unit-dose medication to the cart is not appropriate. Once a unit-dose medication is opened, it cannot be reused due to safety concerns (e.g., contamination, dosage errors). The opened medication should be disposed of properly according to the facility's policies for medication handling and disposal.
C) Report the incident to the provider:
The provider should be notified when a client refuses medication, especially if the medication is essential for the client’s treatment or health condition. It is important for the nurse to document the refusal and inform the provider so that appropriate follow-up can be arranged, including possible reassessment of the treatment plan, alternative medications, or further education for the client.
D) Fill out an incident report:
An incident report is typically completed for situations that involve safety issues, errors, or accidents that may affect patient safety or quality of care. While refusal of medication is an important event, it does not generally require an incident report unless it involves an unusual or dangerous situation, such as a medication error or patient harm.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A) Researcher:
The nurse is gathering evidence-based practice (EBP) on catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI), which involves systematically collecting, analyzing, and reviewing existing studies or guidelines to inform clinical practice. This is the role of the researcher in EBP. Nurses in this role contribute to improving patient outcomes by identifying best practices, assessing existing evidence, and implementing findings to reduce complications, such as CAUTIs.
B) Nurse manager:
While a nurse manager may oversee quality improvement projects, staffing, and other operational aspects of nursing care, they are not typically the ones actively gathering evidence-based data themselves. Nurse managers may utilize the findings from research but are not directly involved in the research process unless leading specific studies.
C) Case manager:
A case manager primarily coordinates care for individual patients, ensuring they receive the appropriate resources and follow-up care. They help manage the continuity of care across different settings but do not focus on gathering or researching evidence for clinical practices. Their role is more focused on patient outcomes and care delivery rather than generating evidence.
D) Educator:
While an educator might be involved in teaching staff or patients about preventing CAUTI, the role described in the question specifically refers to gathering evidence-based practice information. Educators may use research findings in their teaching, but gathering evidence is a distinct activity that fits the role of the researcher in EBP.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A) Wait 10 sec after placing the probe before obtaining the oxygen saturation reading:
While a brief wait may be necessary for the pulse oximeter to adjust and display a stable reading, there is no need to wait a full 10 seconds after placing the probe before obtaining the reading. Typically, the device should provide an accurate reading within a few seconds after placement.
B) Place the sensor probe on the same extremity as an electronic blood pressure cuff:
The blood pressure cuff can interfere with the oxygen saturation measurement by constricting the blood flow to the extremity. Placing the pulse oximeter sensor on the same arm or hand as the blood pressure cuff could lead to inaccurate readings due to decreased circulation or occlusion of blood flow. It's best to place the pulse oximeter sensor on a different extremity from the cuff.
C) Relocate the sensor every 8 hrs:
This is not necessary unless there are signs of skin breakdown or compromised circulation under the probe. Typically, a pulse oximeter sensor can be left in place on a single site for several hours if it is well-tolerated by the patient. Frequent moving of the sensor could cause unnecessary discomfort or risk of skin irritation, and it's not a routine requirement.
D) Choose a finger with a capillary refill less than 2 sec:
The accuracy of pulse oximetry readings can be influenced by peripheral circulation. A finger with a capillary refill of less than 2 seconds indicates good peripheral perfusion, which is ideal for obtaining an accurate oxygen saturation measurement. Poor circulation, such as that seen with cold extremities or compromised blood flow, can lead to inaccurate readings, so ensuring the finger has adequate circulation is important.
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