A patient has a new diagnosis of hypertension with a new prescription for a Beta Blocker.

Which medication would you expect to be prescribed?

Choice A rationale:
Phenytoin 100 mg PO every 8 hr is a standard prescription for controlling seizures.
Choice B rationale:
Lisinopril 20 mg PO every 12 hr is a typical dose for treating high blood pressure.
Choice C rationale:
“Hold for systolic BP less than 110 mm Hg” is unclear because it does not specify which medication to hold.
Choice D rationale:
Morphine 2.5 mg IV bolus PRN for incisional pain is a standard prescription for pain control after surgery.
Choice E rationale:
Regular insulin 7 units subcutaneous 30 min before breakfast and dinner is a common prescription for managing blood glucose levels in diabetes patients.

The correct answers are B, D, and E.

Choice A Reason: The provider’s name is not an acceptable client identifier for medication administration. The provider’s name is associated with the person who prescribes or orders the medication, not the client who is to receive it. It does not reliably identify the individual for whom the service or treatment is intended.

Choice B Reason: The client’s full name is a primary and acceptable identifier. It is unique to the individual and is used to match the service or treatment to that individual. It is one of the most common identifiers used in healthcare settings to ensure that the correct patient receives the correct medication.

Choice C Reason: The facility room number is not an acceptable identifier. Room numbers can change if patients are moved, and they are not unique to an individual. Therefore, they do not reliably identify the person for whom the service or treatment is intended.

Choice D Reason: An identification number the facility assigns, such as a medical record number, is an acceptable identifier. It is unique to the client and is used across healthcare settings to track patient information, including medication administration.

Choice E Reason: The client’s telephone number can be considered an acceptable identifier, especially in settings where other identifiers might not be available. It is unique to an individual and can be used to verify the client’s identity.