The nurse is preparing to administer a medication from a unit-dose system. The nurse verifies that the medication, dose, and time are correct and that the expiration date was the day prior. Which action is correct?
Administer the medication and observe for adequate drug effects.
Notify the pharmacist and provider of a medication error.
Return the medication to the pharmacy to be replaced.
Verify the right patient and administer the medication.
The Correct Answer is C
A. Administering an expired medication is unsafe. Even if the medication appears unchanged, its potency, stability, and effectiveness may be compromised.
B. There is no medication error in this scenario, as the nurse has not yet administered the drug. However, the pharmacy should be notified so that a replacement can be provided.
C. The appropriate action is to return the expired medication to the pharmacy for a replacement. Medications should not be administered if they are past their expiration date, as this can affect efficacy and patient safety.
D. Verifying the right patient is part of safe medication administration, but it does not address the issue of the expired medication. The correct response is to obtain a non-expired dose from the pharmacy.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
a) Encouraging self-application is beneficial in some cases, but it is not always appropriate. The nurse must ensure the medication is applied correctly and safely, especially if the patient has mobility or cognitive impairments.
b) Wearing treatment gloves is important when handling certain medications, but it is not required for all topical applications. Some medications, such as nitroglycerin ointment, require gloves to prevent nurse exposure, but others do not.
c) Changing gloves between skin preparation and medication application is not a universal requirement. In most cases, the same pair of gloves can be used unless contamination occurs.
d) Performing effective hand hygiene before and after applying the medication is the most essential action to prevent infection and cross-contamination.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. C-V drugs are considered to have the lowest potential for abuse and are typically used for medications like cough preparations with less than 200 milligrams of codeine per 100 milliliters or per 100 grams. Methadone is not classified under C-V.
B. Methadone is classified as a C-II (Schedule II) controlled substance because it has a high potential for abuse, but it also has accepted medical uses, such as for opioid withdrawal management.
C. C-I drugs are considered to have no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse (e.g., heroin, LSD). Methadone is not classified as a C-I drug.
D. C-III drugs have a moderate potential for abuse and are generally used for medications like anabolic steroids or some barbiturates, but methadone is not classified under C-III.
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