A health care provider has written an order for digoxin for the patient, but the nurse cannot read whether the order is for 0.25 mg or 0.125 mg. What action would be the best to prevent a medication error?

A: The nurse is ultimately responsible for the error. Nurses are responsible for ensuring the correct administration of medications, which includes verifying the correct dosage. When a nurse administers medication, they must double-check the order, especially if it is unclear or illegible. In this case, the nurse misinterpreted the scribbled order and administered an incorrect dose, making them accountable for the error. Nurses are trained to seek clarification if there is any doubt about a medication order to prevent such mistakes.

B: The health care provider, while responsible for prescribing the medication, is not ultimately responsible for the administration error in this scenario. The provider’s role is to ensure that the prescription is clear and accurate. However, if the order is unclear, it is the nurse’s responsibility to seek clarification before administering the medication. The health care provider would be responsible if the error was due to a prescribing mistake, but in this case, the error occurred during the administration phase.

C: The hospital, as an institution, provides the environment and resources for patient care but is not directly responsible for individual medication administration errors. The hospital’s role includes ensuring that systems are in place for safe medication practices, such as proper training and protocols. However, the responsibility for the error lies with the individual who administered the medication incorrectly.

D: The pharmacist’s role is to dispense medications accurately and provide information about the medication. While pharmacists can catch potential errors in prescriptions, they are not responsible for the administration of the medication. In this case, the pharmacist would not be held accountable for the nurse’s misinterpretation and incorrect administration of the medication.

A: Blood pressure of 178/90 mm Hg indicates hypertension, not dehydration. Dehydration typically leads to low blood pressure due to reduced blood volume.

B: Jugular vein distention is associated with fluid overload or heart failure, not dehydration. Dehydration usually results in flat neck veins.

C: A heart rate of 50 beats per minute is bradycardia and is not typically associated with dehydration. Dehydration often causes an increased heart rate (tachycardia) as the body tries to maintain adequate circulation.

D: Skin tenting present is a classic sign of dehydration. When the skin is pinched and does not return to its normal position quickly, it indicates a lack of fluid in the tissues.