Medication Safety and Error Prevention > Pharmacology
Exam Review
Introduction
Total Questions : 7
Showing 7 questions, Sign in for moreA nurse is preparing to administer medication to a client. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Explanation
The nurse should follow the six rights of medication administration, which include the right client, right medication, right dose, right route, right time, and right documentation. The first action the nurse should take is to compare the medication label with the MAR to ensure that they match and that the medication has been prescribed for the client.
A) This is an important action, but not the first one. The nurse should check the client's identification band after comparing the medication label with the MAR and before administering the medication.
B) This is an important action, but not the first one. The nurse should explain the purpose and side effects of the medication after comparing the medication label with the MAR and before administering the medication.
C) Correct. This is the first action the nurse should take to ensure that the right medication is being given to the right client.
D) This is an important action, but not the first one. The nurse should assess the client for contraindications and allergies after comparing the medication label with the MAR and before administering the medication.
A nurse is reviewing a client's medication list and notices that the client is taking two medications that have a potential interaction. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Explanation
The nurse should notify the provider and document the interaction in the client's chart when a potential medication interaction is identified. The provider may need to adjust or change one or both of the medications to prevent if from harming the client.
A) Correct. This is the appropriate action for the nurse to take when a potential medication interaction is identified.
B) This is not an appropriate action. The nurse should not hold or alter any prescribed medications without consulting with the provider first.
C) This is not an appropriate action. The nurse should not administer both medications as prescribed without notifying the provider of the potential interaction. This could put the client at risk for adverse effects or reduced efficacy of one or both of the medications.
D) This is not an appropriate action. The nurse should not rely on the client's self-report of problems with taking both medications. The client may not be aware of or recognize all of the possible signs and symptoms of a medication interaction.
A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for warfarin about safe medication practices. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?
Explanation
Warfarin is an anticoagulant that inhibits vitamin K-dependent clotting factors and increases the risk of bleeding. The client should use a soft-bristled toothbrush and an electric razor to prevent trauma and bleeding from minor cuts or abrasions.
A) Correct. This statement indicates that the client understands how to prevent bleeding while taking warfarin.
B) This statement indicates a lack of understanding of the teaching. The client should avoid sudden changes in vitamin K intake, as this can affect the therapeutic level of warfarin and increase the risk of clotting or bleeding. Green leafy vegetables are high in vitamin K and should be consumed in consistent amounts.
C) This statement indicates a lack of understanding of the teaching. The client should avoid nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen while taking warfarin, as they can increase the risk of bleeding. The client should consult with the provider before taking any over-the-counter medications for pain relief.
D) This statement indicates a lack of understanding of the teaching. Warfarin does not affect blood pressure directly but rather affects blood clotting. The client should monitor their international normalized ratio (INR), which measures the effectiveness of warfarin, regularly while taking this medication.
A nurse is administering an intramuscular injection to a client. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to prevent medication errors?
Explanation
The nurse should rotate the injection sites among different muscle groups to prevent tissue damage, irritation, and absorption problems. The nurse should follow the recommended sites for intramuscular injections, such as the deltoid, ventrolateral, vastus lateralis, and dorsogluteal muscles.
A) This is not an action to prevent medication errors, but rather an action to prevent leakage of the medication from the injection site and reduce pain and irritation. The Z-track method involves pulling the skin to one side before inserting the needle and releasing it after withdrawing the needle.
B) This is not an action to prevent medication errors, but rather an action to prevent injecting the medication into a blood vessel. Aspiration involves pulling back on the plunger of the syringe before injecting the medication and checking for blood return in the syringe.
C) This is not an action to prevent medication errors, but rather an action to enhance absorption and reduce pain and irritation. Massage involves applying gentle pressure to the injection site after administering the medication.
D) Correct. This is an action to prevent medication errors by avoiding repeated injections in the same muscle group.
A client is receiving a continuous intravenous infusion of heparin for deep vein thrombosis. The nurse notes that the client's activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) is above the therapeutic range. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Explanation
Heparin is an anticoagulant that inhibits clotting factors and prevents thrombus formation. The aPTT is a laboratory test that measures the effectiveness of heparin therapy. The therapeutic range for aPTT is usually 1.5 to 2 times the normal value, which is about 25 to 35 seconds. If the aPTT is above the therapeutic range, this indicates that the client is at risk for bleeding and that the heparin dose is too high.
A) This is not an appropriate action. Stopping the infusion abruptly could put the client is at risk for clotting and complications such as pulmonary embolism or stroke The nurse should only stop the infusion if instructed by the provider or if the client has signs of severe bleeding or haemorrhage.
B) Correct. This is an appropriate action. Decreasing the infusion rate will lower the heparin dose and bring the aPTT back to the therapeutic range. The nurse should notify the provider of the aPTT result and obtain further orders for heparin therapy.
C) This is not an appropriate action. Increasing the infusion rate will raise the heparin dose and increase the aPTT further above the therapeutic range. This could worsen the risk of bleeding for the client.
D) This is not an appropriate action. Continuing the infusion without adjusting the rate or notifying the provider could result in harm to the client due to excessive anticoagulation and bleeding.
A client is receiving an intravenous (IV) infusion of potassium chloride. The nurse notices that the infusion site is red, swollen, and painful. The nurse suspects that the client has developed phlebitis. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Explanation
The nurse should stop the infusion and remove the IV catheter as soon as possible if phlebitis is suspected. Phlebitis is inflammation of a vein that can be caused by mechanical, chemical, or infectious factors. Potassium chloride is a vesicant medication that can cause severe tissue damage if it extravasates into the surrounding tissues.
The nurse should apply a warm compress to the infusion site after removing the IV catheter to reduce inflammation and discomfort. The nurse should notify the provider and obtain an order for a different IV site to continue the infusion of potassium chloride at a different location. The nurse should not slow down the infusion rate and monitor the client because this could worsen the condition and increase the risk of complications.
b) Incorrect. This is an appropriate action after removing the IV catheter, but not before.
c) Incorrect. This is an appropriate action after removing the IV catheter and applying a warm compress, but not before.
d) Incorrect. This is not an appropriate action because it could worsen the condition and increase the risk of complications.
A nurse is preparing to administer medication to a client. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to ensure medication safety? (Select all that apply.)
Explanation
The nurse should check the medication label against the MAR three times: before removing the medication from the storage area, before preparing or measuring the medication, and before administering the medication to the client.
The nurse should also ask the client to state their name and date of birth and use a barcode scanner to verify the client's identification band and the medication. These are methods of ensuring that the right medication is given to the right client.
The nurse should follow the six rights of medication administration: right client, right medication, right dose, right route, right time, and right documentation.
The nurse should document the medication administration as soon as possible after giving the medication, not after completing other tasks.
a) Correct. This is one of the methods of ensuring medication safety.
b) Correct. This is another method of ensuring medication safety.
c) Correct. This is a third method of ensuring medication safety.
d) Incorrect. The nurse should document the medication administration as soon as possible after giving the medication, not after completing other tasks.
e) Correct. This is a general principle of medication safety.
Sign Up or Login to view all the 7 Questions on this Exam
Join over 100,000+ nursing students using Nursingprepexams’s science-backend flashcards, practice tests and expert solutions to improve their grades and reach their goals.
Sign Up Now