A nurse is caring for a patient who is supposed to receive two drugs at the same time. What is the nurse's priority action?
Wash her hands before handling the medications.
Consult a drug guide for compatibility.
Question the patient concerning drug allergies.
The Correct Answer is B
A. Washing hands before handling medications is essential for infection control but is not the priority action in this scenario. Ensuring drug compatibility is crucial to prevent adverse interactions.
B. When administering two drugs simultaneously, the nurse’s priority is to determine if they are compatible, particularly for IV medications. Some medications can precipitate or cause harmful interactions when mixed, leading to reduced efficacy or adverse effects. Consulting a drug guide ensures safe administration.
C. Checking for drug allergies is important before giving any medication, but it is not the priority in this specific situation. Compatibility must be assessed first to ensure the drugs can be given together safely.
D. Identifying the patient is always necessary for safe medication administration, but in this case, ensuring drug compatibility is the first step before proceeding with administration. If the drugs are incompatible, the nurse must take alternative actions before giving them to the patient.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. The Drug Regulation and Reform Act focuses on expediting drug approval processes and does not specifically govern drug administration by nurses.
B. The FDA Amendments Act primarily expands the authority of the FDA over drug safety and post-marketing surveillance but does not directly regulate nursing drug administration.
C. Nurse Practice Acts (NPAs) are state laws that define the scope of nursing practice, including drug administration. These laws outline nurses' responsibilities, legal limitations, and requirements for safe medication administration.
D. The Controlled Substances Act regulates the manufacture, distribution, and classification of controlled substances but does not govern all aspects of drug administration by nurses.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
a) Complete blood counts (CBC) are useful for monitoring infection, anemia, or bone marrow suppression, but they are not the primary concern for azithromycin and acetaminophen toxicity.
b) Electrolytes are important for general health but are not directly related to the major side effects of these drugs.
c) Liver enzymes (AST, ALT) should be monitored because both azithromycin and acetaminophen can cause hepatotoxicity, especially at high doses. Acetaminophen overdose is a known cause of liver failure.
d) Urinalysis may be helpful in assessing kidney function, but it is not the primary focus when monitoring for drug-induced liver toxicity.
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