A nurse verifies medication orders for a client who has just been transferred from another unit. Which action should the nurse take to ensure the medication orders are accurate?
Compare the new MAR with the prescribed orders.
Assume the orders are correct from the previous unit.
Skip verifying medication orders if the client is stable.
Administer the medication based on the client's request.
The Correct Answer is A
Rationale:
A. Comparing the new medication administration record (MAR) with the prescribed orders is the correct action. This verification ensures that all medications, doses, routes, and schedules are accurate and consistent with the provider’s current orders. It helps prevent errors that can occur during handoffs or transfers between units.
B. Assuming the orders are correct from the previous unit is unsafe. Transitions of care are high-risk periods for medication errors, and verification is essential regardless of the client’s stability or previous administration.
C. Skipping verification because the client is stable is incorrect. Stability does not guarantee that the orders are accurate. All new or transferred medication orders must be reviewed to prevent omissions, duplications, or incorrect dosages.
D. Administering medication based on the client’s request is unsafe. Clients may not have complete knowledge of their medications, doses, or schedules, and relying on their request can lead to errors. Nurses must verify orders with the MAR and prescriber instructions before administration.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Using a spacer with inhaled medications helps more medication reach the lungs. The spacer holds the medication in a chamber, allowing the client to inhale slowly and deeply. This improves deposition of the drug in the lower airways rather than having it impact the oropharynx or be exhaled, increasing the effectiveness of the treatment.
B. Increasing the delivery speed of the drug is incorrect. A spacer does not make the medication act faster; it improves the efficiency of delivery, allowing for better absorption in the lungs.
C. Reducing the adverse effects of the drug is partially true in that less medication deposits in the mouth and throat, potentially reducing local side effects, but the primary benefit is improving lung delivery rather than preventing all adverse effects.
D. Preventing the development of dry mouth is not the main purpose of a spacer. Dry mouth may occur with some inhaled medications, but the spacer’s main function is to enhance pulmonary deposition, not to prevent oral dryness.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Rationale:
A. The client chewing their enteric-coated aspirin requires follow-up. Enteric-coated medications are specially formulated to dissolve in the intestine rather than the stomach to prevent gastric irritation and protect the medication from stomach acid. Chewing or crushing enteric-coated tablets destroys the protective coating, increasing the risk of stomach irritation, ulcers, or reduced effectiveness. The nurse should intervene and provide education on alternative options, such as discussing a different formulation with the healthcare provider.
B. Waiting for sublingual nitroglycerin to dissolve in the buccal cheek does not necessarily require follow-up. Although sublingual medications are typically placed under the tongue, allowing nitroglycerin to dissolve in the buccal area can still allow absorption through the oral mucosa. The key point is that the medication is not swallowed but allowed to dissolve for mucosal absorption.
C. Reviewing new prescription bottles to verify dosages is an appropriate and safe practice. This demonstrates medication awareness and helps prevent errors. No follow-up is required for this finding.
D. Taking each pill one at a time until finished is a safe medication practice. It reduces the risk of choking and helps ensure each medication is swallowed properly. This does not require intervention.
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