A nurse receives report that a client has been pacing the hallway continuously for almost twenty-four hours and talking excessively.
Which action is the priority?

Collaborate with the prescriber about the order. This is because the nurse has a responsibility to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the medication administration and to question any orders that seem inappropriate or unclear. The nurse should not administer the medication as ordered without verifying it first, as this could cause harm to the client or result in a medication error. The nurse should not check to see if previous shift nurses gave the medication, as this does not address the issue of the current order and could lead to missed or duplicated doses. The nurse should not administer only the standard dose of the medication, as this could be against the prescriber’s intention and could compromise the client’s treatment or outcome.

Choice A is wrong because it does not follow the principle of safe medication administration and could put the client at risk of adverse effects or overdose.

Choice B is wrong because it does not respect the prescriber’s authority and could result in underdosing or ineffective therapy for the client.

Choice C is wrong because it does not solve the problem of the current order and could cause confusion or inconsistency in the medication administration.

Choice D is correct because it demonstrates critical thinking and professional accountability, and ensures that the order is appropriate and accurate for the client’s condition and needs.

The normal ranges for medication dosages depend on various factors, such as the type of medication, the route of administration, the client’s age, weight, renal function, liver function, and other comorbidities.

The nurse should always consult reliable sources of information, such as drug guides, pharmacists, or prescribers, to determine the safe and effective dosages for each client

The nurse should ask this question to support safe medication administration because the client is to receive medications that are highly teratogenic. Teratogens are substances that can cause congenital disorders and fetal abnormalities.

The nurse should avoid giving teratogenic medications to pregnant clients or clients who may become pregnant.

Choice A is wrong because the family history of cancer is not relevant to the teratogenic effects of the medications.

Choice C is wrong because the previous experience of severe side effects from a drug is not related to the risk of fetal harm.

Choice D is wrong because the allergy to any prescription or non-prescription drugs is not specific to the teratogenic potential of the medications.