A nurse understands that an anticholinergic drug will produce which of the following effects?

The correct answer is: a. Right route, c. Right dose, d. Right person, e. Right documentation, f. Right medication.

Choice A: Right route

The right route ensures that the medication is administered via the correct method, such as oral, intravenous, or intramuscular. This is crucial because different routes can affect the medication’s absorption and effectiveness. Administering medication via the wrong route can lead to ineffective treatment or even harm the patient.

Choice B: Right to refuse

While patients do have the right to refuse medication, this is not one of the five main rights of medication administration. The five main rights focus on the correct administration process to ensure patient safety and effective treatment.

Choice C: Right dose

The right dose ensures that the patient receives the correct amount of medication. Administering too much or too little can lead to adverse effects or ineffective treatment. This right involves verifying the prescribed dose and measuring it accurately.

Choice D: Right person

The right person ensures that the medication is given to the correct patient. This is typically verified using two identifyers, such as the patient’s name and date of birth, to prevent medication errors.

Choice E: Right documentation

The right documentation involves accurately recording the administration of the medication. This includes noting the time, dose, route, and any observations. Proper documentation is essential for maintaining accurate medical records and ensuring continuity of care.

Choice F: Right medication

The right medication ensures that the correct drug is given to the patient. This involves checking the medication label against the doctor’s order to prevent errors. Administering the wrong medication can have serious consequences.

Choice A reason: Administering half of the scheduled dose of Colace is not the correct action for the nurse who is caring for a patient who had two loose stools during the night shift. Colace is the brand name of docusate, which is a stool softener that works by increasing the amount of water and fat in the stool, making it easier to pass. Colace is used to treat and prevent constipation, which is a condition of infrequent or hard bowel movements. Colace is not indicated for diarrhea, which is a condition of frequent and loose bowel movements. Administering half of the scheduled dose of Colace may not be enough to prevent constipation, and it may also worsen diarrhea by adding more water and fat to the stool.

Choice B reason: Administering the scheduled dose of Colace is not the correct action for the nurse who is caring for a patient who had two loose stools during the night shift. Colace is the brand name of docusate, which is a stool softener that works by increasing the amount of water and fat in the stool, making it easier to pass. Colace is used to treat and prevent constipation, which is a condition of infrequent or hard bowel movements. Colace is not indicated for diarrhea, which is a condition of frequent and loose bowel movements. Administering the scheduled dose of Colace may not be necessary to prevent constipation, and it may also worsen diarrhea by adding more water and fat to the stool.

Choice C reason: Inserting a rectal tube to prevent excoriation is not the correct action for the nurse who is caring for a patient who had two loose stools during the night shift. A rectal tube is a device that is inserted into the rectum and connected to a drainage bag, which collects the stool and prevents leakage and skin irritation. A rectal tube is used for patients who have fecal incontinence, which is the inability to control bowel movements. A rectal tube is not indicated for patients who have diarrhea, which is a condition of frequent and loose bowel movements. Inserting a rectal tube may not be effective to prevent excoriation, and it may also cause complications such as infection, bleeding, or perforation.

Choice D reason: Holding the scheduled dose of Colace and notifying the ordering physician is the correct action for the nurse who is caring for a patient who had two loose stools during the night shift. Colace is the brand name of docusate, which is a stool softener that works by increasing the amount of water and fat in the stool, making it easier to pass. Colace is used to treat and prevent constipation, which is a condition of infrequent or hard bowel movements. Colace is not indicated for diarrhea, which is a condition of frequent and loose bowel movements. Holding the scheduled dose of Colace may be appropriate to avoid further diarrhea, and notifying the ordering physician may be necessary to determine the cause and the treatment of diarrhea