A male client tells the practical nurse (PN) that he is afraid of getting cancer so he plans to quit smoking cigarettes by switching to a smokeless tobacco product. How should the PN respond?

The client's statements suggest significant distress, feelings of being a burden, and a sense of hopelessness related to their obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Given the severity of these statements, it is crucial for the PN to assess the client's risk of suicide or self-harm. Asking directly about suicidal thoughts or considering suicide as an option allows the PN to evaluate the immediate safety of the client and take appropriate actions to ensure their well-being.
While the other options may also provide relevant information, they are not as critical as assessing the client's risk of suicide.
B. Questioning about which rituals are most often used to reduce anxiety can help gather information about the client's specific OCD symptoms and coping mechanisms.
C. Determining what makes the client think people are laughing can provide insight into their perception of how others view them, but it may not address the immediate risk of harm.
D. Asking about the impact of obsessions and compulsions on sleep can help assess the client's overall functioning, but it does not address the immediate risk of suicide.

- 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 a 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.