A nurse is preparing to administer a pre-packaged oral medication to a client and complete the final medication check. At which of the following times or places should the nurse perform this final check?
In the area where the nurse obtained the medication.
At the time of documentation.
At the client's bedside before administration.
At the nurses' station while reviewing the provider's prescription.
The Correct Answer is C
A. Performing the final medication check in the area where the medication was obtained does not ensure the correct patient is receiving the medication.
B. Documenting after administration does not allow for a final check of the medication against the patient’s identity and allergies.
C. Performing the final check at the client's bedside before administration allows the nurse to confirm the patient's identity, the medication's appropriateness, and the dosage immediately before giving it.
D. Reviewing the prescription at the nurses' station may not account for patient-specific factors that need to be confirmed at the bedside.
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Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Checking the client for allergies is the first step in ensuring the safety of medication administration; it is crucial to verify that the client does not have any known allergies to the medication before proceeding.
B. Documenting that the medication was administered should occur after the medication has been given, not before.
C. Mixing the medication at the client’s bedside is an important step, but it should be done only after confirming that the medication is appropriate for the client.
D. Determining the client's response to the medication occurs after administration, making it a follow-up action rather than a first step.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Discarding the tablet and obtaining another dose is the safest option, as it ensures the medication's integrity and prevents any potential contamination.
B. Using the tablet's packaging to pick it up is not appropriate as it could introduce contaminants from the surface of the counter to the tablet.
C. Washing the tablet with alcohol is not advisable because it could alter the medication's properties or effectiveness.
D. Placing the tablet directly into a medication cup without addressing its contamination would also be inappropriate and could jeopardize client safety.