The charge nurse is assigning care to clients who are all receiving continuous intravenous medication infusions. The client receiving which medication infusion is best to assign to the licensed practical nurse (PN), rather than an RN?
Nitroprusside sodium, an antihypertensive.
Methotrexate, an antimetabolite chemotherapeutic agent.
Octreotide acetate, an antidiarrheal agent.
Amiodarone hydrochloride, an antiarrhythmic agent.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A reason: Nitroprusside sodium, an antihypertensive, is not the best medication infusion to assign to the PN. This medication requires close monitoring of blood pressure, heart rate, and cyanide levels. It also has a short half-life and needs frequent titration. These tasks are beyond the scope of practice of the PN and should be performed by the RN.
Choice B reason: Methotrexate, an antimetabolite chemotherapeutic agent, is not the best medication infusion to assign to the PN. This medication is used to treat various types of cancer and can cause severe side effects such as bone marrow suppression, hepatotoxicity, and mucositis. It also requires special precautions to prevent exposure and contamination. These tasks are beyond the scope of practice of the PN and should be performed by the RN.
Choice C reason: Octreotide acetate, an antidiarrheal agent, is the best medication infusion to assign to the PN. This medication is used to treat diarrhea caused by certain hormonal disorders such as carcinoid syndrome or acromegaly. It has a relatively long half-life and does not require frequent adjustments. It also has minimal side effects and does not need special precautions. These tasks are within the scope of practice of the PN and can be delegated by the RN.
Choice D reason: Amiodarone hydrochloride, an antiarrhythmic agent, is not the best medication infusion to assign to the PN. This medication is used to treat various types of cardiac arrhythmias and can cause serious side effects such as hypotension, bradycardia, pulmonary toxicity, and thyroid dysfunction. It also requires close monitoring of electrocardiogram, vital signs, and blood tests. These tasks are beyond the scope of practice of the PN and should be performed by the RN.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: A practical nurse is qualified to transport a postoperative client to the rehabilitation unit, as long as they have the necessary equipment and report any changes in the client's condition to the primary nurse.
Choice B reason: A practical nurse (PN) is competent to monitor the blood pressure of a client with hypertension, as long as they follow the prescribed treatment plan and report any abnormal findings to the primary nurse.
Choice C reason: An unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) is not authorized to check a client for fecal impaction, as this is a nursing assessment that requires specialized knowledge and skills. The charge nurse should intervene and assign this task to a registered nurse or a practical nurse.
Choice D reason: A graduate nurse is capable of obtaining a unit of packed red blood cells from the blood bank, as long as they have the proper identification and documentation. They should also be supervised by an experienced nurse when administering the blood transfusion.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Reviewing the medication transcription with the nurse is not the most important intervention for the charge nurse to implement. The medication transcription is the process of transferring the prescription from the healthcare provider to the medication administration record. The error occurred after the transcription and during the administration. The charge nurse should first report the error and then review the transcription to identify the cause of the error.
Choice B reason: Evaluating the client for symptoms of a drug interaction is an important intervention for the charge nurse to implement, but not the most important one. The charge nurse should first report the error and then assess the client for any adverse effects of the medication overdose. The charge nurse should also monitor the client's vital signs and laboratory results.
Choice C reason: Reporting the medication error to the nursing supervisor is the most important intervention for the charge nurse to implement. The charge nurse has the responsibility to report any medication errors to the appropriate authority and document the incident. The charge nurse should also follow the policies and procedures of the facility regarding medication errors and ensure that the client receives appropriate care and follow-up.
Choice D reason: Informing the pharmacist who dispensed the medication is not the most important intervention for the charge nurse to implement. The pharmacist is not directly involved in the medication administration and may not be able to prevent or correct the error. The charge nurse should first report the error and then inform the pharmacist if necessary. The pharmacist may provide information or advice on how to manage the medication overdose.
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