A home health nurse is caring for a client who has a chronic illness and recently moved in with their adult child. Which of the following statements by the client should indicate to the nurse that the client has adapted to their new situational role?

Correct responses:

A. When preparing the medication dosage: Comparing the medication administration record with the medication label during preparation helps ensure the correct medication and dosage are being used.

B. Directly before administering the medication: This final check ensures that the medication being given matches the prescription and the right patient, minimizing the risk of errors.

D. When removing the medication from the medication drawer: This initial check ensures that the medication being retrieved is the correct one as per the medication administration record.

The other options are not directly related to verifying the medication administration record against the medication label:

C. When reconciling counts of controlled substances: This is important for ensuring accurate inventory but is not related to verifying medication administration.

E. At the end of the shift: This is not a time for verifying medication records and labels; it’s more related to end-of-shift documentation and handoff.

A. Administer an antiemetic:

Administering an antiemetic might be necessary to relieve nausea and vomiting, but it is not the first action. Before administering medications, it is essential to assess the client's condition and gather information about the underlying cause of the symptoms.

B. Offer pain medication:

Offering pain medication is not the first action. The nurse needs to assess the client's condition, determine the cause of the pain, and gather more information before administering pain relief. Administering pain medication before a thorough assessment can mask important clinical signs and symptoms.

C. Palpate the abdomen:

Palpating the abdomen is an important step in the assessment, but it should follow auscultation of bowel sounds. Palpation can be deferred if there is concern about possible inflammation (as in suspected appendicitis) to avoid causing further irritation.

D. Auscultate bowel sounds:

This is the correct action. Auscultating bowel sounds is the first step in assessing the gastrointestinal (GI) function. The reported symptoms of right lower quadrant pain, nausea, and vomiting could be indicative of various GI issues, such as appendicitis. Assessing bowel sounds helps the nurse gather information about the status of peristalsis and potential obstructions.