A patient is prescribed a medication that is unfamiliar to the nurse. What is the nurse's best course of action?
Consult with a colleague who is more experienced with the medication.
Administer the medication and observe the patient's response.
Ask the patient if they have taken it before and if they experienced side effects.
Look up the medication information and verify with the prescriber if necessary.
The Correct Answer is D
Rationale:
A. Consult with a colleague who is more experienced with the medication: Consulting a colleague can provide guidance, but the nurse must personally verify the medication’s indications, dosage, and safety before administration.
B. Administer the medication and observe the patient's response: Administering an unfamiliar medication without verification is unsafe and increases the risk of errors or adverse effects.
C. Ask the patient if they have taken it before and if they experienced side effects: While patient input can be helpful, it does not replace professional verification of the drug’s properties, interactions, or dosing.
D. Look up the medication information and verify with the prescriber if necessary: The nurse should research the medication, understand its indications, dosage, route, and potential adverse effects, and consult the prescriber if any uncertainty remains. This ensures safe, informed administration.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Using a pill cutter for all tablets: A pill cutter should only be used when tablets are scored and intended to be split. Using it indiscriminately can alter the dose and lead to errors.
B. Administering the medication in a quiet environment: While a calm environment reduces distractions, it is a supportive measure rather than a critical safety step in preventing errors.
C. Performing three label checks before administration: Checking the medication label three times—when retrieving, preparing, and before giving the drug—ensures the correct patient, drug, dose, route, and time. This practice is a key strategy to prevent medication errors and enhance patient safety.
D. Ensuring the medication is taken with food or milk: Administering with food or milk may improve tolerance or absorption for certain medications, but it does not universally prevent medication errors. The critical step is accurate identification and verification of the medication.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Rationale:
A. The total amount of medication required: This represents the desired dose (D) in the formula, not 'H'. It is the amount the provider has prescribed for the patient.
B. The dosage strength available: 'H' stands for the dosage strength available, such as milligrams per tablet or milliliters per vial. Knowing this allows the nurse to calculate how many units of the drug form to administer to meet the prescribed dose.
C. The frequency of administration: Frequency refers to how often a medication is given, which is not part of the D/H × Q calculation for a single dose.
D. The patient's weight in kilograms: Weight may be used to calculate a weight-based dose, but it is not represented by 'H'; it may be used in determining 'D' for pediatric or weight-dependent dosing.
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