A nurse is reviewing a client's prescription for lorazepam 3 mg PO BID. The nurse should interpret which of the following information from the prescription?
The medication should be administered as needed.
The medication is administered orally.
The nurse should administer 1.5 mg twice daily.
The medication is administered with every meal.
The Correct Answer is B
A. The medication should be administered as needed: This interpretation is incorrect because the prescription specifies a regular dosing schedule of twice daily (BID), indicating that it is not PRN (as needed) but rather a scheduled medication.
B. The medication is administered orally: This is correct as the prescription states "PO," which stands for "per os," meaning the medication is to be taken by mouth. This indicates the route of administration and is essential for ensuring the client receives the medication correctly.
C. The nurse should administer 1.5 mg twice daily: This interpretation is incorrect. The prescription specifically indicates a total dose of 3 mg to be taken, not divided into 1.5 mg doses. The correct administration is 3 mg at each dosing time, totaling 6 mg per day.
D. The medication is administered with every meal: This is not specified in the prescription. The dosing schedule of BID does not imply administration with meals unless explicitly stated. The nurse should follow the prescribed timing and not assume meal-related administration without clear instructions.
Free Nursing Test Bank
- Free Pharmacology Quiz 1
- Free Medical-Surgical Quiz 2
- Free Fundamentals Quiz 3
- Free Maternal-Newborn Quiz 4
- Free Anatomy and Physiology Quiz 5
- Free Obstetrics and Pediatrics Quiz 6
- Free Fluid and Electrolytes Quiz 7
- Free Community Health Quiz 8
- Free Promoting Health across the Lifespan Quiz 9
- Free Multidimensional Care Quiz 10
View Related questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Temazepam 15 mg PO at bedtime PRN sleep: This prescription is clear, as it specifies the medication, dosage, route, and that it is for as-needed use at bedtime. This is an appropriate use of a sedative-hypnotic medication for sleep issues.
B. Adderall XR 10 mg PO hs: The abbreviation "hs" typically means "at bedtime," but in the context of Adderall, which is a stimulant, this usage may raise concerns about inappropriate timing. Stimulants are usually prescribed in the morning to avoid insomnia and potential side effects, so clarifying this prescription is necessary to ensure safe and effective use.
C. Fluoxetine 20 mg PO every a.m.: This prescription is clearly stated, with an appropriate dosage and frequency. Fluoxetine is commonly prescribed for depression and can be taken in the morning, making this prescription acceptable.
D. Guanfacine 1 mg PO daily: The prescription is straightforward and appropriate, as guanfacine is often used for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or hypertension and can be taken daily. There are no concerns that require clarification with this prescription.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Albuterol metered dose inhaler 2 inhalations every 4 to 6 hr PRN for bronchospasm: This prescription is appropriate for managing acute bronchospasm. Albuterol is commonly used as a rescue inhaler, and the frequency aligns with standard practice for its use.
B. Clozapine 25 mg PO daily: This dosage is appropriate for initiating treatment with clozapine, which often starts at a low dose due to the risk of agranulocytosis. Regular monitoring of blood counts is required but the prescription itself is clear.
C. Haloperidol 0.5 mg PO 2 times each day: This prescription raises a concern due to the formatting error (there is a missing space after "Haloperidol"). The clarity of the dose is crucial, especially with potent medications like haloperidol, and the nurse should confirm the intended dosage to avoid medication errors.
D. Flunisolide 80 mcg inhalation twice daily: This is a standard prescription for a corticosteroid inhaler, used for long-term control of asthma or COPD. The dosage and frequency are appropriate, requiring no further clarification.