A nurse is administering a client’s morning oral medications.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A.
Verify the medication three times with the medication administration record.
B.
Document medication administration prior to administering medication.
C.
Administer time-critical medication 60 min before or after the scheduled time.
D.
Identify the client by using one identifier before giving the medication.
The correct answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is A. Verify the medication three times with the medication administration record.
Explanation:
In medication administration, accuracy and safety are paramount to prevent errors and ensure patient well-being. The process of verifying medications is crucial in this context, and it is guided by established safety protocols.
Verification of Medication:
- Three Checks: The nurse should verify the medication three times against the medication administration record (MAR). This process involves checking the medication at three key points:
- When the medication is removed from the storage area or container.
- When the medication is being prepared or measured.
- Before the medication is administered to the patient. This method ensures that the correct medication, dosage, and route are administered to the right patient at the right time. It is a fundamental practice to reduce the risk of medication errors.
Other Options Explained:
B. Document medication administration prior to administering medication.
- Documentation should occur after the medication is administered, not before. Recording administration beforehand could lead to inaccurate records if the medication is not actually given or if an error occurs during administration.
C. Administer time-critical medication 60 minutes before or after the scheduled time.
- Time-critical medications, such as those that manage chronic conditions or that are essential for maintaining therapeutic levels, should be administered as close to the scheduled time as possible. A 60-minute window is too broad and can affect the efficacy of the medication or patient outcomes.
D. Identify the client by using one identifier before giving the medication.
- Proper identification requires at least two identifiers (e.g., name and date of birth) to ensure the medication is administered to the correct patient. Using only one identifier increases the risk of administering medication to the wrong patient.
In summary, verifying the medication three times with the MAR (Option A) is the best practice to ensure medication safety and accuracy, reducing the risk of errors in the medication administration process.