Examkin

Question

Difficulty: MediumPharmacological Therapies

A practical nurse (PN) is preparing to administer scheduled medications on a medical-surgical unit. Which actions by the PN demonstrate safe medication administration and adherence to the scope of practice? Select all that apply.

  1. Verifying a client's allergy status in the medical record and on their identification band before giving a newly prescribed antibiotic.Answer
  2. Asking the client to state their full name and date of birth while comparing it to the medication administration record (MAR).Answer
  3. Scanning the barcode on the client's identification bracelet and the medication package immediately prior to administration.Answer
  4. D
    Leaving a prepared unit-dose medication at the bedside for an alert, oriented client to take after they finish eating breakfast.
  5. E
    Administering a scheduled intravenous push (IVP) dose of furosemide to a client experiencing fluid volume overload.
  6. F
    Rounding the numbers during the intermediate steps of a multi-step dosage calculation instead of rounding only the final answer.

Answer

The correct actions are verifying the client's allergy status, checking the client's stated name and date of birth against the MAR, and scanning the barcode on the identification band and medication package.
Verifying allergies before administering a new antibiotic ensures client safety and prevents adverse reactions. Asking the client to state their name and date of birth provides two distinct, acceptable patient identifiers. Scanning the barcode on the identification band and medication package is a critical technological safeguard that verifies both the 'right patient' and 'right medication'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Evaluate each option against the standard 'rights of medication administration' and LPN/LVN scope of practice.
Identify which actions actively promote client safety and comply with nursing regulations.
Safe pharmacological therapy requires strict adherence to established protocols and legal boundaries.
2
Identify the safe and correct actions.
Verifying allergies, using two distinct client identifiers, and utilizing barcode scanning are all standard, mandated safety practices.
These actions directly prevent medication errors and ensure the right client receives the right medication.
3
Identify the unsafe or incorrect actions.
Leaving medications unattended at the bedside, administering IV push medications, and prematurely rounding calculation steps are incorrect.
These actions violate medication safety rights, increase the risk of dosing errors, and exceed the practical nurse scope of practice.

Key Concept

Safe Medication Administration and Scope of Practice
Rate this question

Topics

Pharmacological Therapies

More questions from this topic