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.
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How should the nurse manage the client's pain if a client with a history of substance abuse is requesting pain medication?
- A. Administer the medication as requested
- B. Assess the patient's pain level first
- C. Administer a placebo to the client
- D. Refuse to give any medication to the client
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When a client with a history of substance abuse requests pain medication, the nurse should first assess the patient's pain level. It is important to determine the nature and intensity of the pain before administering any medication to ensure appropriate pain management. Administering medication without assessing the pain level can lead to unnecessary drug administration or inadequate pain relief. Administering a placebo would be unethical and ineffective. Refusing to give any medication without proper assessment can compromise the client's comfort and recovery. Therefore, the correct approach is to assess the patient's pain level first before deciding on the most suitable pain management intervention.
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.
A healthcare professional is preparing to administer an intravenous (IV) medication. What action should the healthcare professional take to ensure patient safety?
- A. Ensure the medication is administered at the correct time.
- B. Verify the patient's identification using two identifiers.
- C. Prepare the medication at the healthcare professional's station.
- D. Ensure the medication is administered within 30 minutes of the scheduled time.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Verifying the patient's identity using two identifiers is crucial to ensure the right patient receives the right medication. This process helps prevent medication errors by confirming the patient's identity through at least two unique identifiers, such as name, date of birth, or medical record number. Choice A is not directly related to ensuring patient safety during medication administration. Choice C is incorrect as medications should be prepared in a sterile environment, not just at the healthcare professional's station. Choice D is not a safe practice as medications should be administered at the scheduled time to maintain therapeutic effectiveness.
When caring for a patient with a nasogastric (NG) tube, what is the most appropriate intervention to prevent aspiration?
- A. Flush the NG tube with water before each feeding.
- B. Check the placement of the NG tube before each feeding.
- C. Elevate the head of the bed to 30-45 degrees.
- D. Provide the patient with oral care every 4 hours.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Elevating the head of the bed to 30-45 degrees is the most appropriate intervention to prevent aspiration in a patient with an NG tube. This position helps reduce the risk of regurgitation and aspiration by promoting the proper flow of contents through the gastrointestinal tract and minimizing the chances of stomach contents entering the airway. Flushing the NG tube with water before each feeding may not directly prevent aspiration. Checking the placement of the NG tube is important but does not specifically address the prevention of aspiration. Providing oral care every 4 hours is essential for maintaining oral hygiene but is not directly related to preventing aspiration in a patient with an NG tube.
The nurse is providing information regarding safety and accidental poisoning to a grandparent who will be taking custody of a 1-year-old grandchild. Which comment by the grandparent will cause the nurse to intervene?
- A. I should call 911 if my grandchild loses consciousness.
- B. Never induce vomiting if my grandchild drinks bleach.
- C. If my grandchild eats a plant, I should provide syrup of ipecac.
- D. The number for poison control is 800-222-1222.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C. Administering syrup of ipecac is no longer recommended in cases of poisoning. This is because it can lead to complications and is not considered safe. The grandparent should be informed that syrup of ipecac should not be given to a child who has ingested a toxic substance. Choices A, B, and D provide accurate information regarding actions to take in case of poisoning, such as calling 911 if the child loses consciousness, not inducing vomiting if the child drinks bleach, and having the poison control number readily available.