After administering a medication to a client, the nurse realizes that the client was given another client's drug. What must the nurse do next?
Document the error on the client's medical record and notify the supervisor.
Check the client's MAR for drug allergies, and if there is no indicated allergy to the drug administered in error, no further action is necessary.
Call the health care provider immediately and complete an incident report.
Administer the original drug and observe the client frequently for adverse reactions to the first drug.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A reason: While documentation and supervisor notification are crucial, immediate action involving the health care provider ensures timely response to potential adverse effects from the medication error.
Choice B reason: Relying solely on the absence of drug allergies is insufficient and may jeopardize patient safety. Errors require immediate communication and reporting for appropriate interventions.
Choice C reason: Timely provider notification prioritizes patient safety and enables corrective measures. Completing an incident report supports institutional transparency and learning to prevent future errors.
Choice D reason: Administering additional drugs risks compounding harm. The priority is addressing the initial error and ensuring patient safety without introducing further interventions.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Therapeutic effects define expected outcomes; knowing these (e.g., pain relief) lets the nurse assess if the drug meets its clinical goal effectively.
Choice B reason: Chemical composition informs structure, not outcome; it’s irrelevant to evaluating if the drug achieves its intended physiological effect directly.
Choice C reason: Mechanism explains how drugs work; it’s useful but secondary to knowing the actual therapeutic result needed for outcome assessment.
Choice D reason: Side effects monitor safety, not efficacy; they don’t directly measure if the drug achieves its primary therapeutic purpose as intended.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Classifications like “analgesics” pair effects (pain relief) with symptoms (pain); this pharmacological basis groups drugs by therapeutic purpose and mechanism.
Choice B reason: Dosage varies within classes; it’s not a defining trait, as classifications focus on action (e.g., beta-blockers), not specific amounts administered.
Choice C reason: Tolerance is patient-specific, not a classification criterion; drugs are grouped by effect and symptom relief, not individual response variations.
Choice D reason: Nursing implications guide administration, not classification; categories stem from pharmacology (e.g., antihypertensives), not care protocols or implications.
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