A nurse is caring for a client whose child died from cancer.
The client states, "It's hard to go on without him." Which of the following questions should the nurse ask the client first?

Choice A rationale:

The prescription for Levothyroxine 75 mcg PO daily at 0600 does not require clarification. It provides clear instructions for the medication, including the drug name, dosage, route, and timing. The administration time (0600) is specific, allowing the nurse to administer the medication accurately.

Choice B rationale:

The prescription for Digoxin 250 PO daily contains an error. The dosage (250) is missing the unit of measurement (e.g., mcg or mg). Without the unit, it is impossible to accurately administer the medication. This prescription needs clarification from the prescriber to ensure safe and precise administration.

Choice C rationale:

The prescription for Acetaminophen 650 mg PO Q6 hours does not require clarification. It provides clear instructions for the medication, including the drug name, dosage (650 mg), route (PO), and frequency (every 6 hours). The dosing interval is appropriate and within the normal range for acetaminophen administration.

Choice D rationale:

The prescription for Ceftriaxone 1 g IV Q 24 hours does not require clarification. It provides clear instructions for the medication, including the drug name, dosage (1 g), route (IV), and frequency (every 24 hours). The dosing interval is appropriate for this antibiotic and allows for effective treatment of infections.

The correct answer is Choice B.

Choice A rationale: Maintaining bed elevation at 20 degrees is not recommended. The recommended bed elevation for patients receiving enteral tube feedings is at least 30 to 45 degrees.This is to prevent aspiration of the feeding solution into the lungs.

Choice B rationale: Flushing the tubing with 30 mL of water every 4 hours is a recommended practice.This helps to maintain the patency of the feeding tube and prevent clogging.

Choice C rationale: Checking for gastric residual every 12 hours is not sufficient.For patients receiving continuous tube feedings, gastric residual volume (GRV) should be monitored every 4 hours.This helps to assess tolerance to the feeding and prevent complications such as aspiration.

Choice D rationale: Placing enough formula in the container to last 18 hours is not recommended.For an open system, the formula should be replaced every 4 hours to prevent bacterial growth.