A charge nurse in a long-term care facility notices the smell of alcohol on a nurse's breath.

Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

The nurse should take the following actions when receiving a telephone prescription from a client's provider:

1. Ask the provider to spell out the name of the medication: This is important to ensure accurate transcription of the medication name. Spelling out the name helps prevent errors due to similar-sounding medications or confusion with abbreviations.
2. Request that the provider confirm the read-back of the prescription: This step ensures that the nurse and the provider are on the same page and that the prescription has been accurately transcribed. It allows for verification and correction if any discrepancies are identified.
3. Record the date and time of the telephone prescription: Documenting the date and time of the telephone prescription is essential for tracking and reference purposes. It helps establish a clear timeline of events and ensures proper documentation of the medication order.

It is not necessary to withhold the medication until the provider signs the prescription, as telephone prescriptions are typically followed up with a written prescription or electronic verification.

Instructing another nurse to record the prescription in the medical record may not be necessary, as the nurse who received the telephone prescription is responsible for accurately documenting the order in the medical record. However, if necessary, the nurse can delegate the task of documentation to another qualified staff member under their supervision, ensuring accuracy and completeness.

Explanation

C.I should check my heart rate while taking the medication

Timolol is a medication commonly prescribed for the treatment of primary open-angle glaucoma, which is a chronic eye condition characterized by increased intraocular pressure

hacking the heart rate while taking timolol eye drops is important. Timolol belongs to a class of medications called beta-blockers, which can have systemic effects. These medications can enter the bloodstream and potentially affect heart rate and blood pressure. Monitoring the heart rate can help assess for any potential adverse effects of the medication.

Taking a zinc supplement in (option A) is not correct because it is not typically necessary while taking timolol eye drops. Zinc supplementation is not a direct requirement or related to the use of timolol for glaucoma treatment. The client should follow their healthcare provider's instructions regarding medication use and potential dietary modifications, but zinc supplementation is not specifically associated with timolol.

Timolol eye drops in (option B) is not correct because it does not darken the colour of the eyes. The purpose of timolol eye drops is to reduce intraocular pressure by decreasing the production of fluid in the eye. Eye colour changes are not known effects of timolol eye drops.

Timolol eye drops in (option D) is incorrect because it does not dilate the eyes. In fact, they work by reducing intraocular pressure, not by dilating the eyes. Eye dilation is typically achieved with the use of specific eye drops called mydriatics or with the use of specialized ophthalmic instruments during an eye examination.