A practical nurse (PN) is reviewing the medication administration record (MAR) and morning laboratory results for assigned clients. Identify the actions that represent safe and appropriate practice for the PN. Select all that apply.
- Withhold scheduled subcutaneous enoxaparin for a client with a morning platelet count of and notify the registered nurse.Answer
- BAccept a delegated task from the registered nurse to administer an initial intravenous (IV) push dose of hydromorphone for a client experiencing severe pain.
- Reinforce teaching for a client starting oral rifampin that their urine, sweat, and tears may turn a harmless red-orange color.Answer
- DAdminister a scheduled dose of oral metoprolol to a client who has an asymptomatic resting heart rate of .
- Administer a prescribed oral potassium chloride supplement to a client with a morning serum potassium level of .Answer
- FBypass the barcode medication administration scanner during a temporary system outage and identify the client using only their room number.
Answer
The correct actions are withholding enoxaparin for thrombocytopenia, reinforcing teaching about expected side effects of rifampin, and administering potassium chloride for hypokalemia.
Safe pharmacological practice for the practical nurse involves withholding enoxaparin when the platelet count is critically low to prevent hemorrhage, educating clients on harmless but startling medication side effects (like rifampin causing red-orange secretions), and appropriately treating documented electrolyte deficits (such as administering potassium for hypokalemia).
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
The practical nurse must integrate pharmacological knowledge with strict adherence to scope of practice, ensuring safe medication administration, accurate monitoring of laboratory values, and appropriate client teaching reinforcement.