The nurse is caring for an 80-year-old patient who has just begun taking a Thiazide diuretic to treat hypertension.
What is an important aspect of care for this patient?

Choice A rationale

Administering the medication even if the name of the drug can be clearly read is risky because the rest of the label might contain essential information like dosage, expiration date, and other critical instructions. Administering a medication without complete labeling increases the risk of medication errors.

Choice B rationale

Discarding the entire bottle and contents and obtaining a new bottle is the safest option. It ensures that the nurse is using a medication with a fully intact label, which includes all necessary information to safely administer the medication, such as dosage, route, and expiration date.

Choice C rationale

Asking another nurse to verify the contents of the bottle is not sufficient because the torn and soiled label still lacks complete information. Without all details, there's a risk of administering the wrong dosage or an expired medication.

Choice D rationale

Finding the drug information and making a new label for the bottle is not appropriate because it does not guarantee the accuracy of the dosage or other critical details that were on the original label. It's better to use a completely labeled and verified medication bottle.

Choice A rationale

Using an “ouch” scale, such as the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale, is appropriate for young children. It allows them to express their pain intensity in a way that is understandable and relatable to their age group.

Choice B rationale

Encouraging a six-year-old to request pain medication may not be effective, as they might not understand when they need it or might be reluctant to ask.

Choice C rationale

Waiting to administer pain medication until the child begins to cry can delay pain relief, leading to unnecessary discomfort and anxiety.

Choice D rationale

Asking a young child to rate their pain on a scale of 1 to 10 might be confusing and less effective than using a more child-friendly method like the “ouch” scale.