What is the best method to confirm the correct patient during medication administration?
Verify the patient's name from the ID armband.
Ask the patient to state their full name and date of birth.
Ask the patient to state their last name.
Ask the patient to state their full name and date of birth, and compare this information to the medication administration record and the patient's ID armband.
The Correct Answer is D
This question evaluates the standard of practice for patient identification. It requires applying the principle of using at least two unique patient identifiers, which is the cornerstone of safe care delivery, preventing misidentification errors that can lead to life-threatening complications during medication administration.
Choice A rationale
While the ID armband is a primary source of identification, relying on it exclusively is not the best practice. The Joint Commission mandates the use of at least two patient identifiers to ensure the correct patient is receiving the correct medication.
Choice B rationale
Asking the patient to state their name and date of birth is an effective method of identification. However, this method is incomplete because it does not include the essential step of verifying this verbal information against the official medical records and the patient's armband.
Choice C rationale
Asking the patient to state only their last name is insufficient for accurate identification. Many patients may share the same last name, and this lack of specific, unique identifiers significantly increases the risk of administering medication to the wrong individual during care.
Choice D rationale
Using two unique identifiers and cross-verifying them against the patient's arm band and the medication administration record is the gold standard for safety. This multi-step process minimizes the risk of identification errors and is required by national patient safety standards for healthcare.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
This question tests for knowledge of the pharmacological effects of chronic, high-dose aspirin therapy. It requires identifying how salicylates inhibit cyclooxygenase enzymes, which disrupts platelet aggregation and poses a significant systemic risk of bleeding, a common adverse outcome of prolonged high-dose administration.
Choice A rationale
Dry skin is not a recognized side effect of high-dose aspirin therapy. Aspirin is a salicylate that does not significantly affect sebaceous gland function or skin hydration levels, making this an incorrect association regarding the drug's known safety profile.
Choice B rationale
Hypothermia is not a common side effect of aspirin. While salicylates can affect the thermoregulatory center at extreme, toxic doses, they do not cause hypothermia as a side effect. Clinically, aspirin is more associated with fever reduction in febrile patients.
Choice C rationale
Aspirin irreversibly inhibits the cyclooxygenase-1 enzyme, which is essential for the production of thromboxane A2. This action significantly reduces platelet aggregation, increasing the risk of both minor and major bleeding episodes, which is a hallmark side effect of prolonged treatment.
Choice D rationale
Bradypnea is not a typical side effect of aspirin. In toxic salicylate levels, patients often exhibit hyperpnea and tachypnea as a physiological response to metabolic acidosis caused by the drug, rather than a slowing of the respiratory rate as described here.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
This question tests patient understanding of potassium-sparing diuretics. It requires identifying the need for further education when a patient plans to alter their medication dosage independently, which poses a severe risk of life-threatening electrolyte imbalances, particularly hyperkalemia, in patients prescribed this diuretic therapy.
Choice A rationale
Taking spironolactone with food is recommended as it helps to increase the drug's oral bioavailability and significantly reduces the common gastrointestinal side effects, such as nausea or stomach upset, which are frequently reported by patients during the initial weeks of treatment.
Choice B rationale
Patients must never independently alter their medication dose. Spironolactone acts as an aldosterone antagonist, and self-adjusting the dose can lead to erratic blood pressure control or severe, potentially life-threatening hyperkalemia, which is a significant clinical risk requiring ongoing provider monitoring.
Choice C rationale
Spironolactone can cause hyperkalemia, which significantly increases the risk of cardiac dysrhythmias. Patients are rightly taught to monitor for signs of irregular heartbeats, such as palpitations or skipped beats, and report these concerns immediately to ensure proper cardiovascular safety and monitoring.
Choice D rationale
Salt substitutes often contain potassium chloride, and potassium-rich foods can contribute to dangerous elevations in serum potassium levels. Patients on spironolactone are at a high risk for hyperkalemia (normal range 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L) and must avoid these dietary sources.
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