A nurse discovers a discrepancy in the narcotics log. What is the appropriate next step?
- A. Correct the log and notify the pharmacy.
- B. Report the discrepancy to the nurse manager.
- C. Re-administer the narcotic.
- D. Dispose of the narcotic and note the discrepancy.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When a nurse discovers a discrepancy in the narcotics log, the appropriate next step is to report the discrepancy to the nurse manager. This is important to ensure that the issue is properly investigated and addressed. Choice A is incorrect because simply correcting the log and notifying the pharmacy may not address the root cause of the discrepancy. Choice C is incorrect as re-administering the narcotic without clarification could lead to potential harm or legal issues. Choice D is incorrect as disposing of the narcotic without following proper protocols and documentation could result in further complications.
You may also like to solve these questions
After placing the patient back in bed, what should the nurse do next?
- A. Re-assess the patient.
- B. Complete an incident report.
- C. Notify the health care provider.
- D. Do nothing, no harm has occurred.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: After placing the patient back in bed, the nurse should notify the health care provider. This is important because the health care provider needs to be informed of the incident and assess the patient further to ensure no underlying injuries or issues exist. Re-assessing the patient is crucial but notifying the health care provider takes precedence in this situation. Completing an incident report is important for documentation purposes but not the immediate next step. Doing nothing is incorrect as there was an incident involving a fall that needs further evaluation.
What is the most appropriate action for a healthcare provider to take when a patient refuses a prescribed medication?
- A. Document the refusal and notify the healthcare provider.
- B. Administer the medication at a later time.
- C. Explain the importance of the medication and its effects.
- D. Respect the patient's right to refuse the medication.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is to respect the patient's right to refuse the medication. It is crucial to uphold the patient's autonomy and decision-making capacity when it comes to their treatment. Administering the medication later without the patient's consent (Choice B) disregards their autonomy and can lead to ethical issues. Documenting the refusal and notifying the healthcare provider (Choice A) is important for legal and continuity of care purposes but should come after respecting the patient's decision. While explaining the importance of the medication (Choice C) is valuable for promoting understanding and compliance, the immediate concern should be respecting the patient's refusal.
If a nurse is uncomfortable documenting a verbal prescription, what should the nurse do?
- A. Document the prescription without seeking clarification.
- B. Clarify the verbal prescription with the healthcare provider.
- C. Refuse to document the prescription.
- D. Speak with the client's family to clarify the situation.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When a nurse is uncomfortable documenting a verbal prescription, the best course of action is to clarify the prescription with the healthcare provider. This is crucial to ensure that the information is accurate and to provide safe and appropriate care. Option A is incorrect because blindly documenting without seeking clarification can lead to errors. Option C is incorrect as refusing to document the prescription altogether is not in the best interest of the patient. Option D is also incorrect as speaking with the client's family is not the appropriate step to clarify a verbal prescription; the healthcare provider should be the primary source for this clarification.
A client with a history of falls is under the care of a nurse. Which intervention is most important to implement?
- A. Increase the frequency of bed checks.
- B. Use bed alarms to prevent falls.
- C. Keep the room well lit during the day.
- D. Encourage the client to use a walker for mobility.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Using bed alarms to prevent falls is the most important intervention to implement for a client with a history of falls. Bed alarms can provide timely alerts to the healthcare team, allowing for quick assistance to prevent falls. Increasing the frequency of bed checks may not necessarily prevent falls as effectively as direct intervention with bed alarms. Keeping the room well lit is important for general safety but may not address the immediate risk of falls. Encouraging the client to use a walker for mobility is beneficial but may not be as crucial as implementing bed alarms to prevent falls in this scenario.
The nurse is caring for a patient on contact precautions. Which action will be most appropriate to prevent the spread of disease?
- A. Wear a gown, gloves, face mask, and goggles for interactions with the patient.
- B. Transport the patient safely and quickly when going to the radiology department.
- C. Place the patient in a room with negative airflow.
- D. Use a dedicated blood pressure cuff that stays in the room and is used for that patient only.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is to use a dedicated blood pressure cuff that stays in the room and is used for that patient only. Patients on contact precautions require dedicated equipment to prevent the spread of disease. Using one blood pressure cuff exclusively for the patient on contact precautions helps minimize the risk of transmitting infections to other patients. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because while wearing protective gear and isolating the patient in a room with negative airflow are important infection control measures, using dedicated equipment for the patient on contact precautions is specifically recommended to prevent the spread of disease in this scenario.