A patient is being discharged home with a prescription for a new medication. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Choice A rationale
Ensuring the client can independently manage their care is important, but it does not directly address potential barriers that could affect adherence to the discharge plan. Identifying barriers is crucial to ensure the client can follow through with the plan safely and effectively.

Choice B rationale
Identifying potential barriers to adherence is essential for client safety during the discharge process. This includes assessing the client’s understanding of their care plan, their ability to access medications, and any social or financial obstacles that may hinder their adherence. By addressing these barriers, the nurse can help ensure the client follows the discharge plan and reduces the risk of complications or readmissions.
Choice C rationale
Avoiding discussion of dietary restrictions is incorrect because dietary restrictions are often a critical component of a client’s care plan. Discussing and ensuring the client understands these restrictions is vital for their safety and health management post-discharge.
Choice D rationale
Providing information quickly to expedite discharge is not a safe practice. It is important to ensure the client fully understands their discharge instructions, which requires taking the time to explain and confirm comprehension. Rushing through this process can lead to misunderstandings and potential harm.

Choice A rationale
Ignoring the error, even if it does not affect patient care, is incorrect. Ignoring errors can lead to a culture of complacency and potentially more significant errors in the future. It is essential to address all errors to maintain accurate records and ensure patient safety.
Choice B rationale
Drawing a single line through the error, initialing, and dating it is the correct action. This method maintains the integrity of the medical record while clearly indicating that an error was made and corrected. It ensures transparency and accountability in documentation.
Choice C rationale
Leaving the error as is and informing the nurse manager is not the best practice. While informing the nurse manager is important, the error should be corrected in the medical record to prevent any potential confusion or miscommunication.
Choice D rationale
Erasing the incorrect entry and writing the correct one is incorrect. Erasing or obliterating entries in a medical record is not allowed as it can be seen as tampering with the record. It is crucial to maintain the original entry and make corrections transparently.