The physician's order for a medication states: "Tylenol 325mg 2 or 4 tabs BID and PRN". You don't want to bother the busy, sometimes difficult physician; however,you're unsure of the quantity and frequency of the order. What should the nurse do?
Call the physician and have the order clarified.
Administer the medication twice a day and as needed.
Talk to the unit secretary on the floor who is good at reading the physician's handwriting.
Consult a pharmacist to interpret the order.
The Correct Answer is A
A. Call the physician and have the order clarified: Ambiguous or unclear medication orders must always be clarified directly with the prescribing provider to prevent medication errors and ensure patient safety.
B. Administer the medication twice a day and as needed: Giving medication without clarification risks overdose or underdose due to unclear dose range.
C. Talk to the unit secretary on the floor who is good at reading the physician's handwriting: Only the prescriber can legally clarify or change an order, not clerical staff.
D. Consult a pharmacist to interpret the order: While pharmacists can offer guidance, they cannot confirm intent; the prescriber must clarify the specific dose and frequency.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Unintended and undesired effects of the drug.: An adverse effect refers to any harmful, unintended, and undesired reaction to a medication that occurs at normal doses used for prevention, diagnosis, or treatment.
B. Mild stomach upset.: A mild stomach upset may be considered a side effect rather than an adverse effect if it is expected and does not pose a health risk. Side effects are generally predictable, dose-related, and less severe compared to true adverse reactions.
C. Expected changes that occur to the drug inside the body.: This describes pharmacokinetics, the process of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of drugs. It is not related to drug effects on the body but rather how the body handles the medication.
D. Desired effect of the drug.: The desired effect is the therapeutic outcome or intended action of the medication, such as pain relief or infection control. It represents the beneficial, goal-oriented response, not an adverse or unintended reaction.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. STAT Order.: A STAT order is for medication that must be administered immediately, usually in emergency or urgent situations. It is a one-time order that requires prompt action and is not given on an as-needed basis.
B. Standing Order.: A standing order is a pre-established protocol allowing nurses to administer specific medications or treatments under defined conditions without obtaining a new order each time. It is typically used for standard care procedures rather than individualized pain management.
C. PRN Order.: A PRN (pro re nata) order means “as needed.” It allows the nurse to administer medication when the patient reports symptoms such as pain, nausea, or anxiety. In this case, postoperative pain medication prescribed as needed is a PRN order.
D. Routine Order.: A routine order specifies medications to be given at regular, scheduled intervals, such as daily or every 8 hours. It does not depend on the patient’s symptom presentation like a PRN order does.
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