A practical nurse (PN) is reviewing safety protocols and providing care for a group of clients on a medical-surgical unit. Which of the following nursing actions demonstrate appropriate implementation of accident, error, and injury prevention principles? Select all that apply.
- Verify the client's name and date of birth using their identification band before administering routine medications.Answer
- BApply soft bilateral wrist restraints to a confused client who is pulling at intravenous tubing prior to attempting alternative measures.
- Move a client who is experiencing severe agitation to a room closer to the nurses' station and activate a bed alarm.Answer
- DAdminister medications by confirming the client's room number and asking the client to state their first name.
- EReassure family members that an older adult client's sudden onset of acute confusion is an expected, normal change of aging.
- Ensure the bed is in the lowest position with the wheels locked for a client who recently received an opioid analgesic.Answer
Answer
The correct actions include verifying two distinct client identifiers (name and date of birth), moving an agitated client closer to the nurses' station while activating a bed alarm, and keeping the bed in the lowest position with locked wheels for a client receiving opioids.
The correct actions directly mitigate environmental and procedural risks. Verifying two distinct identifiers (such as name and date of birth) on the client's identification band is a mandatory standard to prevent medication errors. Moving an agitated client closer to the nurses' station and using a bed alarm are appropriate least-restrictive alternatives to physical restraints. Keeping the bed in the lowest position with wheels locked minimizes the risk of severe injury if a client attempts to get up, which is especially critical after administering fall-risk medications like opioids.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Implementation of accident, error, and injury prevention protocols requires strict adherence to medication administration rights, utilization of least-restrictive restraint alternatives, proactive fall prevention strategies, and the prompt recognition of acute safety hazards like delirium.