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Difficulty: EasyPharmacological Therapies

A practical nurse is preparing to administer a scheduled oral dose of metoprolol to a client diagnosed with hypertension. The client's current vital signs are blood pressure 130/82130/82 mm Hg and heart rate 7878 beats/min. Which action must the nurse perform immediately before administering the medication to ensure client safety?

  1. Verify the client's identity using two distinct, acceptable identifiers.Answer
  2. B
    Confirm the client's identity by checking the room and bed number.
  3. C
    Administer the medication after the client verbally responds to their first name.
  4. D
    Leave the medication on the bedside table for the client to take after breakfast.

Answer

Verify the client's identity using two distinct, acceptable identifiers.
Ensuring the correct client receives the medication is a critical component of the 'six rights' of medication administration. Standard nursing practice guidelines require the use of at least two acceptable client identifiers (e.g., full name, date of birth, or assigned identification number) when providing care or administering medications.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Review the client's vital signs and the medication order.
The blood pressure (130/82130/82 mm Hg) and heart rate (7878 beats/min) are within safe parameters to administer the scheduled metoprolol.
Beta-blockers can lower blood pressure and heart rate, so assessing vital signs is a required pre-administration check.
2
Identify the standard safety protocol immediately prior to medication administration.
The priority action is verifying the 'right client' using two approved identifiers.
This is a fundamental step in the rights of medication administration to prevent giving the drug to the wrong individual.

Key Concept

Medication Administration Rights: Client Identification
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Pharmacological Therapies

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