If the patient refuses a medication, what should the nurse do? (Select all that apply.)
Notify the health care provider.
Determine the reason for refusal.
Administer the dose when the next dose is due.
Document the reason for refusal in the patient's health record.
Mix it in a small amount of their food.
Correct Answer : A,B,D
A) Notify the health care provider: It is essential to inform the healthcare provider if a
patient refuses a medication. This allows for a reassessment of the patient's treatment plan and ensures that any necessary follow-up or adjustments can be made based on the patient's refusal.
B) Determine the reason for refusal: Understanding why a patient refuses medication is crucial. It may be due to side effects, lack of understanding, personal beliefs, or concerns about the medication. Gathering this information can help the nurse address the patient’s concerns and educate them appropriately.
C) Administer the dose when the next dose is due: Administering a medication that the patient has refused would violate their rights and could be considered coercive. The patient has the right to refuse treatment, and the nurse should respect that decision rather than attempt to administer it later without consent.
D) Document the reason for refusal in the patient's health record: Accurate documentation is vital in healthcare. Recording the patient's refusal and the reason for it in their health record ensures continuity of care and provides information for other healthcare team members regarding the patient's preferences and concerns.
E) Mix it in a small amount of their food: This action is inappropriate and unethical. Coercively administering medication without the patient's consent undermines their autonomy and trust in the healthcare system. The nurse should always respect the patient’s right to refuse medication.
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","C","D"]
Explanation
A. By looking at the MAR: The Medication Administration Record (MAR) is primarily for documenting medications administered, and while it may note some allergies, it is not a comprehensive source for a patient's allergy history.
B. By asking the patient: Directly inquiring about a patient's allergies is one of the most effective methods to gather accurate and specific information. Patients can detail their allergies to medications, foods, and other substances, which might not be documented elsewhere.
C. By looking at the patient's allergy bracelet: An allergy bracelet provides immediate visual identification of known allergies. It serves as an important safety mechanism for healthcare providers to avoid administering any allergens.
D. By looking at the front of the chart or in the patient's electronic health record (EHR): This is a reliable way to find documented allergies. The front of the chart or the EHR often contains essential information about a patient's allergies, which helps inform safe medication administration and treatment planning.
E. By administering a dose and monitoring the patient's response: This method is unsafe and inappropriate. Administering a medication without prior knowledge of allergies could lead to serious and potentially life-threatening reactions. It is critical to know allergy history before any medication administration
Correct Answer is ["B","C","D","E"]
Explanation
A) Only administer 40 mg: This option is not appropriate without consulting the healthcare provider. Simply administering a smaller dose without confirming the rationale behind the prescribed 120 mg could result in inadequate treatment for the patient.
B) Use at least two patient identifiers whenever administering a medication: Utilizing two patient identifiers (such as name and date of birth) is essential to ensure that the medication is administered to the correct patient. This step is a key practice in medication safety to prevent errors.
C) Read labels at least two times to make sure it is the correct medication: Carefully reading labels at least twice helps confirm that the nurse is administering the correct medication and dosage. This practice reduces the risk of errors and ensures that the right drug is given.
D) Double-check all calculations: Verifying calculations is critical, especially when dealing with high doses or unusual orders. This step ensures accuracy in the dosage administered and helps prevent medication errors that could lead to toxicity or ineffective treatment.
E) Question unusually large or small doses: It is essential to question any dosage that appears significantly outside the usual range, such as the prescribed 120 mg of Lasix, which exceeds the standard dosing guidelines. Consulting with the healthcare provider for clarification is crucial in such cases to ensure patient safety.