Which statement best describes the nurse’s role in medication reconciliation?
Gather information on the patient’s current medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, herbal supplements, and vitamins. To ensure accuracy, nurses verify the medication list with the patient, family, caregivers, or community pharmacies and document the information in the patient’s EMR.
Review the patient’s medication list to verify its accuracy and completeness. They also compare the list of current medications with new orders or prescriptions to detect any discrepancies or potential issues.
Review the medication history provided by the patient and make changes in the medications based on the patient’s current health status. They communicate any medication changes to the patient and the healthcare team.
The Correct Answer is A
The correct answer is A. Gather information on the patient’s current medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, herbal supplements, and vitamins. To ensure accuracy, nurses verify the medication list with the patient, family, caregivers, or community pharmacies and document the information in the patient’s EMR.
Choice A: Gather information on the patient’s current medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, herbal supplements, and vitamins. To ensure accuracy, nurses verify the medication list with the patient, family, caregivers, or community pharmacies and document the information in the patient’s EMR.
This choice accurately describes the comprehensive process of medication reconciliation. Nurses play a crucial role in gathering detailed information about all medications a patient is currently taking, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, herbal supplements, and vitamins. This information is then verified with various sources such as the patient, their family, caregivers, or community pharmacies to ensure its accuracy. Finally, the verified information is documented in the patient’s Electronic Medical Record (EMR). This process helps prevent medication errors, ensures continuity of care, and enhances patient safety.
Choice B: Review the patient’s medication list to verify its accuracy and completeness. They also compare the list of current medications with new orders or prescriptions to detect any discrepancies or potential issues.
While this choice describes an important aspect of medication reconciliation, it is not as comprehensive as Choice A. Verifying the accuracy and completeness of the medication list and comparing it with new orders or prescriptions is a critical step in identifying discrepancies or potential issues. However, it does not encompass the initial gathering of information from various sources or the documentation process, which are essential components of medication reconciliation.
Choice C: Review the medication history provided by the patient and make changes in the medications based on the patient’s current health status. They communicate any medication changes to the patient and the healthcare team.
This choice focuses on reviewing the medication history and making changes based on the patient’s current health status. While this is an important aspect of patient care, it does not fully capture the scope of medication reconciliation. Medication reconciliation involves not only reviewing and updating medications but also gathering comprehensive information from multiple sources and ensuring accurate documentation. This choice lacks the emphasis on verification and documentation that is central to the medication reconciliation process.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A: True
Chemotherapy drugs work by targeting rapidly dividing cells, a characteristic of cancer cells. However, they cannot selectively distinguish between cancer cells and normal cells that also divide rapidly, such as those in the bone marrow, digestive tract, and hair follicles. This lack of selectivity leads to the common side effects of chemotherapy, such as hair loss, nausea, and decreased blood cell counts. The inability to differentiate between normal and cancer cells is a significant limitation of traditional chemotherapy.
Choice B: False
This choice is incorrect. If chemotherapy drugs could selectively target only cancer cells, the treatment would have fewer side effects and be more effective. However, the non-selective nature of these drugs means they also damage normal, healthy cells that divide rapidly. This non-selectivity is why patients undergoing chemotherapy often experience a range of side effects, as the treatment impacts both cancerous and healthy cells.
Correct Answer is ["A","B","E","F"]
Explanation
Choice A reason:
Watery diarrhea for 3 days is a significant finding that correlates with fluid and electrolyte imbalances. Diarrhea leads to the loss of fluids and electrolytes, which can result in dehydration and electrolyte disturbances such as hypokalemia or hyperkalemia. In this case, the patient’s potassium level is elevated (5.6 mEq/L), which could be a result of the body’s attempt to compensate for the loss of other electrolytes. Diarrhea also contributes to the patient’s weakness and lightheadedness due to dehydration.
Choice B reason:
Chronic kidney disease, which has been managed with diuretics and fluid restrictions, is another critical factor. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects the body’s ability to regulate fluid and electrolytes. The use of diuretics can exacerbate electrolyte imbalances, particularly potassium levels. In this scenario, the patient’s elevated potassium level (5.6 mEq/L) is concerning, as CKD patients are at higher risk for hyperkalemia due to decreased renal excretion of potassium. The combination of CKD and recent diarrhea increases the complexity of managing the patient’s fluid and electrolyte balance.
Choice C reason:
Lung sounds are clear is an important assessment finding but does not directly correlate with the primary nursing problem of fluid and electrolyte imbalance. While clear lung sounds indicate that the patient is not experiencing respiratory complications such as pulmonary edema or infection, this finding does not address the immediate concerns related to fluid loss and electrolyte disturbances. Therefore, it is not a priority in this context.
Choice D reason:
No nausea and vomiting is a relevant finding but does not directly correlate with the primary nursing problem. The absence of nausea and vomiting is positive, as it indicates that the patient is not losing additional fluids and electrolytes through emesis. However, it does not address the significant fluid loss from diarrhea or the electrolyte imbalances that are the primary concerns in this scenario.
Choice E reason:
History of hypertension is a relevant factor in the patient’s overall health status. Hypertension can complicate the management of fluid and electrolyte imbalances, particularly in patients with CKD. The use of antihypertensive medications and diuretics can affect electrolyte levels and fluid balance. In this case, the patient’s blood pressure is slightly low (109/70), which could be related to dehydration from diarrhea and the effects of antihypertensive medications. This history is important for understanding the patient’s baseline and potential complications.
Choice F reason:
Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) is elevated at 30 mg/dL, which is above the normal range (6-24 mg/dL). An elevated BUN level indicates impaired kidney function and can be a sign of dehydration or renal insufficiency. In the context of CKD and recent diarrhea, an elevated BUN suggests that the kidneys are struggling to manage the body’s waste products and fluid balance. This finding is critical for understanding the extent of the patient’s fluid and electrolyte imbalances and guiding appropriate interventions.
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