After administering a medication to your client, you realize you gave him another client's drug.
Your most appropriate action is to:
Document the error on the client's medical record and notify your supervisor.
Administer his original drug and observe him frequently for adverse reactions to the first drug.
Call his physician immediately and make out an incident report.
Check the client's MAR for drug allergies, and if he's not allergic to the drug administered and it is not contraindicated for his condition, do not do anything further about it.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale
Documenting the error and notifying the supervisor are necessary steps, but they are not the most immediate or comprehensive actions. The priority in a medication error is patient safety, which requires immediate medical assessment and intervention. This step follows after direct patient care and notification of the physician.
Choice B rationale
Administering the original drug and observing for adverse reactions addresses part of the problem, but it does not prioritize immediate medical consultation regarding the mistakenly administered drug. The focus should be on the potential effects of the incorrect medication and timely intervention to mitigate harm.
Choice C rationale
The most appropriate and immediate action is to call the physician to inform them of the medication error. This allows the physician to assess the potential harm to the patient based on the specific drug, dosage, and patient's condition, and to order appropriate interventions. An incident report is crucial for organizational learning and quality improvement.
Choice D rationale
Deciding not to act based on a quick check of allergies or contraindications is highly negligent and unsafe. Even if there are no apparent immediate contraindications, any medication error carries inherent risks and requires a thorough medical evaluation by the physician. This approach prioritizes patient safety over documentation and investigation.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Metabolism is primarily carried out by the liver, involving enzymatic biotransformation of drugs into more hydrophilic metabolites for excretion. While liver function can be impacted by systemic illness, renal failure's direct effect on drug metabolism is less significant than its impact on elimination. The liver's cytochrome P450 system typically remains functional.
Choice B rationale
Excretion is the primary elimination pathway for many drugs and their metabolites, mainly via the kidneys. In end-stage renal disease, glomerular filtration rate and tubular secretion are severely impaired, leading to accumulation of drugs and their toxic metabolites, necessitating dose adjustments or alternative elimination methods. Normal creatinine clearance is 80-120 mL/min.
Choice C rationale
Absorption refers to the movement of a drug from its administration site into the bloodstream. While renal failure can indirectly affect absorption through gastrointestinal changes (e.g., uremia-induced nausea), it is not the primary pharmacokinetic phase directly compromised by impaired kidney function. Bioavailability might be altered but not the fundamental absorption process.
Choice D rationale
Distribution involves the reversible movement of a drug from the systemic circulation into the interstitial and intracellular fluids. Renal failure can impact drug distribution due to fluid imbalances, altered protein binding (e.g., hypoalbuminemia), and changes in tissue perfusion, but it is not the most significant or direct pharmacokinetic impairment compared to excretion.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
The head-to-toe format does not exclude unnecessary body systems; rather, it aims to systematically include all major body systems to ensure a comprehensive assessment. Excluding systems could lead to missed findings and an incomplete understanding of the patient's health status. A thorough examination requires a complete survey, even if initial symptoms point to a specific area, to identify any related or unrelated issues.
Choice B rationale
A head-to-toe approach provides a structured and systematic method for examining all body systems. This ensures that no area is overlooked, promoting a comprehensive data collection process. It allows for a logical flow, minimizing omissions and facilitating the identification of interconnections between different bodily functions. This organization enhances efficiency and thoroughness in clinical assessment.
Choice C rationale
The head-to-toe approach does not mandate that painful procedures be done first. In fact, best practice dictates that painful or uncomfortable assessments should generally be deferred until the end of the examination to maintain patient cooperation and trust. Starting with non-painful assessments allows the patient to acclimate and reduces anxiety, improving the overall quality of the examination.
Choice D rationale
A head-to-toe assessment does not reduce time by examining only one side of the body. A comprehensive physical examination requires bilateral assessment of most structures and systems to identify asymmetries or unilateral abnormalities. Limiting the examination to one side would provide an incomplete and potentially misleading clinical picture. Full evaluation ensures all relevant data are collected.
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