A child has experienced several episodes of vomiting. After the nurse reviews the need to provide only clear liquids, the parent of the child reports making clear liquid popsicles out of flavored gelatin for the child. Which information should the nurse obtain about the popsicles?

A. Withdraw the medication into a syringe and label it with the client's name:

This is not necessary for the remainder of the medication. The medication should not be withdrawn into a syringe for future use or left labeled, as it could lead to errors or contamination.

B. Throw the vial into the trash in the presence of another nurse:

Discarding the vial into the trash is not appropriate, as it does not ensure proper documentation, accountability, or safe storage of the remaining medication. Additionally, the presence of another nurse does not address these concerns.

C. Place the vial with the remainder of the medication into a locked drawer:

While storing the vial in a locked drawer may prevent unauthorized access, it does not address the need for proper documentation and labeling of the remaining medication. Additionally, the vial should not be stored with the medication still in it after withdrawal.

D. Ask another nurse to witness the medication being discarded:

This is the appropriate action. Many facilities require that the disposal of unused or remaining medications, especially controlled substances, be witnessed by another nurse to ensure accountability and compliance with regulations.

A. Washes hands before handling the needle and syringe:

This action demonstrates an understanding of standard precautions. Hand hygiene, including washing hands before and after handling needles and syringes, is a fundamental component of standard precautions.

B. Wears gloves to dispose of the needle and syringe:

While wearing gloves is important for protecting oneself from potential exposure to bloodborne pathogens, it is part of personal protective equipment (PPE) precautions rather than standard precautions. Standard precautions primarily focus on hand hygiene and barrier precautions such as gloves, gowns, and masks when appropriate.

C. Dons a face mask before administering the medication:

Wearing a face mask is not typically necessary for routine administration of medications, unless there is a risk of splashes or sprays of blood or body fluids. While it's important to protect mucous membranes from exposure to potentially infectious materials, the routine use of a face mask for medication administration is not a component of standard precautions.

D. Removes needle before discarding used syringes:

This action is unsafe and does not demonstrate an understanding of standard precautions. Removing the needle before discarding the syringe increases the risk of needlestick injuries. Proper needle disposal involves keeping the needle intact with the syringe and disposing of them together in a puncture-resistant container.