An older adult client is admitted to the medical-surgical unit. The client's spouse brings a bag of over-the-counter supplements and prescription pill bottles, stating, "These are the medications my spouse takes every day at home." Which action is most important for the nurse to take to prevent a medication error?
- Review the labels on the bottles and compare them against the provider's current inpatient prescriptionsAnswer
- BAdminister the scheduled doses directly from the home bottles to ensure uninterrupted continuity of care
- CRequest that a nursing assistant create an inventory list of the medications for the medical record
- DDocument that the client's inability to recall their daily medication schedule is an expected age-related change
Answer
The most important action is to review the labels on the bottles and compare them against the provider's current inpatient prescriptions.
To prevent medication errors, the nurse must actively participate in the medication reconciliation process. This involves reviewing the home medications brought in by the family and comparing them against the current inpatient prescriptions provided by the healthcare provider. This crucial safety step ensures that no medications are improperly duplicated, omitted, or given when contraindicated by the client's current acute condition.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Medication Reconciliation and Error Prevention