A patient's anxiety medication is an extended release tablet. The nurse should avoid:

A. I will ensure the tablet is the same color as the tablets the client takes at home.: Tablet color can vary between manufacturers, even for the same medication and dosage. Relying on color for verification is unsafe and can lead to medication errors; nurses must always verify the label and order instead.

B. I will only ask the client's name to verify I have the right client.: Using only the client’s name fails to meet the safety standard for patient identification. At least two identifiers, such as name and date of birth or medical record number, must be used to ensure accurate patient verification.

C. I will give HS medications each morning.: HS stands for “at bedtime,” so giving such medications in the morning represents a timing error. Administering medications at the wrong time can reduce therapeutic effectiveness or cause unintended side effects.

D. I will be sure to check for the right dose of medication.: Checking the correct dosage is one of the essential “rights” of medication administration. Verifying the dose helps prevent underdosing or overdosing and ensures safe and effective therapeutic outcomes for the client.

A. Call the physician and have the order clarified: Ambiguous or unclear medication orders must always be clarified directly with the prescribing provider to prevent medication errors and ensure patient safety.

B. Administer the medication twice a day and as needed: Giving medication without clarification risks overdose or underdose due to unclear dose range.

C. Talk to the unit secretary on the floor who is good at reading the physician's handwriting: Only the prescriber can legally clarify or change an order, not clerical staff.

D. Consult a pharmacist to interpret the order: While pharmacists can offer guidance, they cannot confirm intent; the prescriber must clarify the specific dose and frequency.