A client is admitted to the intensive care unit with diabetes insipidus due to a pituitary gland tumor.

Which potential complication should the nurse monitor closely?

Medication administration is a process that involves prescribing, dispensing, and giving medications to patients. It is a critical and complex task that requires accuracy, safety, and adherence to the rights of medication administration, such as the right patient, right drug, right dose, right route, right time, right documentation, and right response.

When a male client tells the practical nurse (PN) that the pill he has been taking at home is a different color and size than the one the PN is trying to give him now, this may indicate a potential medication error or discrepancy. A medication error is any preventable event that may cause or lead to inappropriate medication use or patient harm. A medication discrepancy is any difference between the current and previous medication regimens of a patient.

The PN should respond to the client's concern by telling him that the PN will verify that the dispensed medication is the valid prescription. This means that the PN will check the medication label, the medication order, and the medication administration record (MAR) to confirm that the medication given to the client matches the one prescribed by the healthcare provider. The PN will also compare the dispensed medication with a drug reference guide or a picture of the medication to ensure that it is the correct drug and dosage form. The PN will also report any suspected errors or discrepancies to the healthcare provider or the pharmacy for clarification or correction.

Options A, B, and D are incorrect answers, as they do not reflect the appropriate or responsible actions for the PN to take when faced with a possible medication error or discrepancy.

Option A is incorrect because explaining that the healthcare provider probably prescribed a different medication while he is hospitalized is not true or helpful, as it does not verify or resolve the issue.

Option B is incorrect because telling the client that he is probably confused since being hospitalized tends to disorient clients is rude and dismissive, as it does not acknowledge or address the client's concern.

Option D is incorrect because explaining that the pharmacy often substitutes generic equivalents for more expensive brands is not accurate or relevant, as it does not verify or resolve the issue.

Choice A rationale:

Monitoring blood pressure is a general health assessment measure and may not directly contribute to pain relief in a client with migraine headaches. While it's essential to manage blood pressure as part of overall health, this choice does not address the client's specific request for pain relief.

Choice B rationale:

Taking a few days off work may provide some relief from external stressors, but it is not a reliable intervention for migraine pain relief. Migraine management typically involves strategies that directly target headache symptoms.

Choice C rationale:

Learning muscle relaxation techniques can be helpful in managing migraine headaches. Relaxation techniques, such as progressive muscle relaxation, can reduce muscle tension and help alleviate headache symptoms. However, it may not be the highest-priority intervention.

Choice D rationale:

Lying down in a dark, quiet room is the most appropriate intervention for obtaining pain relief from a migraine headache. This approach minimizes sensory stimuli, reduces external factors that may exacerbate the headache, and promotes relaxation. It is a well-established non-pharmaceutical method for managing migraine pain.