An elderly patient who lives in a skilled nursing facility and who likes to walk is taking a medication that lowers blood pressure by dilating blood vessels. The best nursing action for this patient is to:

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.

Choice A reason: Narcotics are controlled substances requiring strict accountability; two nurses—one ending and one starting the shift—verify counts to ensure accuracy and prevent diversion per regulatory standards.

Choice B reason: The head nurse and pharmacist may oversee inventory, but shift change counts involve direct caregivers for real-time accuracy, not administrative staff, ensuring immediate responsibility and oversight.

Choice C reason: Involving all nurses from both shifts is impractical and unnecessary; it dilutes accountability and increases error risk, as only two are needed to confirm the count efficiently.

Choice D reason: Pharmacy technicians lack authority over unit narcotics, and the charge nurse alone doesn’t suffice; two nurses ensure a witnessed, reliable count per hospital policy and law.