After applying an alcohol-based hand rub to the palms of the hand and rubbing the palms together, which action should the practical nurse take next?

Rationale:
A. This option is correct because automated medication dispensing systems are designed to minimize human error by controlling access to medications, providing alerts for potential interactions, and standardizing the process of medication retrieval. By doing so, the systems reduce the likelihood of errors such as giving the wrong medication or wrong dose. However, they do not eliminate errors entirely, as administration still requires nursing judgment.

B. This option is correct because these systems automatically document the medications as they are dispensed, including recording which client the medication is for and updating the client’s medication charges or inventory in real time. This feature improves accountability and helps ensure accurate tracking of medication use.

C. This option is correct because each time a nurse accesses the system, it logs critical information, including the time, the client for whom the medication is intended, and the specific medication retrieved. This creates an audit trail that can be reviewed for safety, compliance, and accountability purposes.

D. This option is incorrect because while the system helps organize medications and alerts for potential errors, it cannot ensure proper administration to the correct client. The nurse must still follow the “five rights” of medication administration (right client, right medication, right dose, right route, right time) to prevent errors.

E. This option is incorrect because automated dispensing systems do not verify the clinical appropriateness of medications for a specific client. They cannot assess factors such as allergies, contraindications, drug interactions, or clinical status. The nurse or healthcare provider must use professional judgment to ensure medications are safe and appropriate before administration.

Rationale:
A. This option is incorrect because even when a specimen cup is labeled, placing it in a sealed plastic bag prevents leakage during transport and reduces the risk of contamination. Proper containment is a standard infection control practice.

B. This option is correct because placing the laboratory requisition slip in the outer side pocket of the sealed bag ensures that the specimen is correctly identified without contaminating the paperwork. This method maintains both specimen integrity and accurate documentation, which is essential for laboratory testing.

C. This option is incorrect because while wearing gloves is important during specimen collection, transporting a sealed urine specimen does not require wearing gloves if there is no risk of contact with contaminated surfaces. Gloves may be used, but the key instruction is proper labeling and packaging.

D. This option is incorrect because urine specimens from routine collection are not considered regulated biohazardous waste for disposal. A red biohazard bag is reserved for infectious waste, not standard laboratory specimens. Routine specimens should be transported in a sealed bag to the lab, not discarded in a biohazard bag.