During morning medication administration, an older adult client inspects a unit-dose cardiac pill and states, "I have never seen this yellow pill before. My usual pill for my heart is always white." Which action should the practical nurse (PN) take first to prevent a potential error?
- Withhold the medication and verify the current prescription in the electronic health record.Answer
- BAssure the client that the healthcare provider ordered this specific medication and encourage them to swallow it.
- CLeave the medication on the overbed table while stepping out of the room to call the pharmacy.
- DDocument that the older adult client is confused about their home medication regimen.
Answer
The correct answer is to withhold the medication and verify the current prescription in the electronic health record.
When a client questions a medication's appearance, dose, or purpose, the nurse must always pause the administration process. The client's observation is a critical safety checkpoint. The nurse should withhold the drug and independently verify the order, the medication label, and the client's chart to ensure no error has occurred prior to administration.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Client-Reported Medication Discrepancies