Nurse Drug Classifications Related

Review Nurse Drug Classifications related questions and content

A nurse is preparing a drug for administration to a patient. The drug does not have an indicated use for the patient's medical diagnosis. What should the nurse do?

  • A. Administer the drug as ordered.
  • B. Question the prescriber concerning the ordered drug.
  • C. Ask a coworker his or her thoughts about the ordered drug for the patient.
  • D. Ask the patient why the drug has been prescribed for him or her.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: If the nurse is not sure about giving a drug, the order should be questioned. The nurse should never give a medication that is not clear. Mistakes do happen and the drug ordered, if not approved for the condition that the patient has, could be an error on someone's part. The person who wrote the order should be questioned, not a co worker, who probably does not know why an off-label drug is being used. It would be unprofessional and inappropriate to ask the patient about the drug.