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
Explanation
Choice A: True
Neutropenia, characterized by a low count of neutrophils (a type of white blood cell), significantly increases a patient’s risk for life-threatening infections and sepsis. Neutrophils play a crucial role in the immune system by fighting off infections. When their levels are low, the body becomes more susceptible to infections, which can quickly escalate to sepsis if not promptly treated. Neutropenic sepsis is a severe and potentially fatal condition that requires immediate medical intervention. Patients undergoing treatments like chemotherapy are particularly at risk due to their compromised immune systems.
Choice B: False
The statement that neutropenia does not increase the risk for life-threatening infection and sepsis is incorrect. Neutropenia is well-documented as a major risk factor for severe infections and sepsis. Without adequate neutrophils, the body’s ability to combat pathogens is severely impaired, leading to a higher likelihood of infections that can become systemic and life-threatening. Therefore, it is critical to monitor and manage neutropenic patients closely to prevent and treat infections promptly.
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