During the morning shift on a medical-surgical unit, a practical nurse is assigned to care for several clients requiring pharmacological therapies. Which actions by the practical nurse represent safe practice and adhere to the scope of practice? Select all that apply.
- Scanning the client's identification band and the medication packaging barcode immediately prior to giving oral metoprolol.Answer
- BAccepting an order to administer an intravenous (IV) push dose of morphine sulfate to a client experiencing severe postoperative pain.
- Withholding a scheduled dose of oral warfarin and promptly notifying the registered nurse (RN) after observing a client's INR result of 5.2.Answer
- DIdentifying a client by confirming the room and bed number posted on the wall before administering a routine dose of oral amlodipine.
- Instructing a client to remain in an upright sitting position for at least 30 minutes after taking oral alendronate.Answer
Answer
The correct actions are scanning the identification band and barcode for metoprolol, withholding warfarin for an INR of 5.2, and ensuring an upright position after administering alendronate.
The correct actions demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of pharmacological safety and legal scope. Utilizing barcodes ensures accurate identification, withholding warfarin for a critically high INR (5.2) prevents severe hemorrhage, and keeping a client upright after alendronate prevents esophagitis. All of these actions fall safely within the practical nurse's scope of monitoring and administration.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Safe pharmacological practice for the practical nurse involves adhering to the rights of medication administration, recognizing the boundaries of the practical nursing scope of practice, escalating critical laboratory values, and implementing drug-specific safety protocols.