A nurse receives an order from the provider for a client requiring the highest oxygen concentration with a one-way valve. What type of mask should the nurse apply to the client?

A: The nurse is ultimately responsible for the error. Nurses are responsible for ensuring the correct administration of medications, which includes verifying the correct dosage. When a nurse administers medication, they must double-check the order, especially if it is unclear or illegible. In this case, the nurse misinterpreted the scribbled order and administered an incorrect dose, making them accountable for the error. Nurses are trained to seek clarification if there is any doubt about a medication order to prevent such mistakes.

B: The health care provider, while responsible for prescribing the medication, is not ultimately responsible for the administration error in this scenario. The provider’s role is to ensure that the prescription is clear and accurate. However, if the order is unclear, it is the nurse’s responsibility to seek clarification before administering the medication. The health care provider would be responsible if the error was due to a prescribing mistake, but in this case, the error occurred during the administration phase.

C: The hospital, as an institution, provides the environment and resources for patient care but is not directly responsible for individual medication administration errors. The hospital’s role includes ensuring that systems are in place for safe medication practices, such as proper training and protocols. However, the responsibility for the error lies with the individual who administered the medication incorrectly.

D: The pharmacist’s role is to dispense medications accurately and provide information about the medication. While pharmacists can catch potential errors in prescriptions, they are not responsible for the administration of the medication. In this case, the pharmacist would not be held accountable for the nurse’s misinterpretation and incorrect administration of the medication.

A: Assessing the characteristics of the sputum is important for understanding the nature of the infection and the effectiveness of the treatment, but it is not the first action to take before the procedure.

B: Assessing pulse and respirations is the first action the nurse should take. This provides baseline data on the client’s respiratory and cardiovascular status, which is crucial for monitoring the client’s response to the procedure and ensuring safety.

C: Instructing the client to slowly exhale with pursed lips is a technique used to improve breathing efficiency and oxygenation, but it is not the first action to take before the procedure.

D: Auscultating lung fields is important for assessing the client’s respiratory status and identifying areas of congestion or decreased breath sounds, but it should follow the initial assessment of pulse and respirations.