A client in an acute care setting requires various pharmacological treatments during the m… — NCLEX-PN

A client in an acute care setting requires various pharmacological treatments during the morning shift. Which action by the practical nurse demonstrates safe administration within their established scope of practice?

A
Administering an initial intravenous (IV) push dose of an antiemetic to rapidly relieve the client's severe postoperative nausea.
B
Providing $15\text{ mL}$ of an oral analgesic suspension when the prescription requires $15\text{ mg}$ and the available concentration is $5\text{ mg/mL}$ .
Requesting the client to state their full name and date of birth while cross-checking the identification band prior to providing an oral antihypertensive.Answer
D
Proceeding with a scheduled live-attenuated vaccination after noting the client is actively receiving high-dose systemic corticosteroid therapy.

Answer

Requesting the client to state their full name and date of birth while cross-checking the identification band prior to providing an oral antihypertensive.

The correct answer emphasizes the fundamental safety practice of verifying two distinct client identifiers (such as full name and date of birth) against the identification band before administering any medication. This ensures the right client receives the right medication and is fully within the practical nurse's scope of practice.

Step-by-Step Solution

Evaluate the IV push administration option.

Administering IV push medications, especially initial doses, falls outside the standard scope of practice for a practical nurse.

IV push medications require advanced, continuous assessment and have rapid systemic effects.

Analyze the dosage calculation option.

A prescription of

15\text{ mg}

from a concentration of

5\text{ mg/mL}

requires administering

3\text{ mL}

(

15 \div 5 = 3

). Administering

15\text{ mL}

results in a massive

75\text{ mg}

overdose.

The nurse must calculate volume based on concentration, not match the milligram number to milliliters.

Analyze the immunization option.

Live-attenuated vaccines must be withheld for clients receiving high-dose systemic corticosteroids.

Immunosuppressed clients are at a high risk for developing an active infection from a live-attenuated vaccine.

Evaluate the patient identification option.

Checking two unique identifiers (name and date of birth) against the wristband is a mandatory safety standard.

This is a fundamental and in-scope nursing action that prevents medication errors.

Key Concept

Safe medication administration principles and LPN/LVN scope of practice

Question

Answer

Step-by-Step Solution

Key Concept

Common Mistakes

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