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Difficulty: EasyPharmacological Therapies

During morning medication rounds, a client examines a newly provided pill and tells the practical nurse, "This does not look like my usual blood pressure medicine. Mine is always white, not blue." What is the safest response by the nurse?

  1. Withhold the medication and verify the prescription with the medication administration record.Answer
  2. B
    Reassure the client that generic substitutions often result in different pill colors.
  3. C
    Administer the medication immediately and document the client's statement in the chart.
  4. D
    Place the pill on the overbed table so the client can take it later in the shift.

Answer

Withhold the medication and verify the prescription with the medication administration record.
When a client questions a medication's appearance, the nurse must always trust the client's observation, withhold the dose, and verify the order. This confirms the 'Right Medication' and is a direct, simple application of medication safety principles.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Listen to the client's concern regarding the medication's appearance.
A potential discrepancy is identified.
Clients are often familiar with their daily medications and serve as an important final check before administration.
2
Temporarily withhold the questioned medication.
The medication is not administered to the client.
Preventing immediate administration eliminates the risk of an adverse event if the medication is indeed incorrect.
3
Cross-check the physical medication against the original prescription and pharmacy label.
The accuracy of the drug and dosage is confirmed.
This guarantees the 'Right Medication' principle of safe administration is upheld before any drug is given.

Key Concept

Medication Administration Safety and Client Verification
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Topics

Pharmacological Therapies

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