A nurse is preparing to administer an opioid analgesic IM to a client. The vial contains 2 mg of medication, but the client's prescription is for 1 mg. After administering the medication, which of the following actions should the nurse take when handling the remaining medication in the vial?
Discard the vial with the remaining medication in the sharp container.
Have another nurse witness the disposal of the remaining medication.
Draw up the remaining 1 mg in a syringe and label it with the contents, date, and time.
Store the vial in the client's medication drawer for future use.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A Reason:
Discarding the vial with the remaining medication in the sharp container is inappropriate. This would result in unnecessary waste of the medication and could lead to increased healthcare costs.
Choice B Reason:
Having another nurse witness the disposal of the remaining medication is inappropriate. Witnessing the disposal is typically required for controlled substances, but in this situation, it's more appropriate to use the remaining medication with appropriate documentation.
Choice C Reason:
Drawing up the remaining 1 mg in a syringe and label it with the contents, date, and time is appropriate. This approach minimizes medication wastage and allows for appropriate documentation of the extra dose drawn up. However, it is crucial to label the syringe clearly with the contents, date, and time to avoid any potential errors or confusion. This labeled syringe can then be used for subsequent doses, as long as it remains within the medication's expiration period and adheres to institutional policies.
Choice D Reason:
Storing the vial in the client's medication drawer for future use is inappropriate. Keeping the vial for future use without appropriate documentation is not recommended, as it may lead to medication errors or confusion.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Inflating the catheter's balloon is done after proper placement to secure the catheter in the bladder. It should not be done when there is resistance and no urine flow.
Choice B Reason:
Twisting the catheter gently is correct. Resistance during catheter insertion may indicate the catheter is encountering an obstruction or is misaligned. Gently twisting the catheter can help navigate around obstructions or correct misalignment without causing trauma to the urethra.
Choice C Reason:
Applying lidocaine gel to the urethra is typically used for lubrication and to numb the urethra during catheter insertion, but it may not address the issue of resistance or lack of urine flow.
Choice D Reason:
Lowering the penis to a 45° angle is not a standard action in response to resistance during catheter insertion. Twisting the catheter gently is a more appropriate initial step.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Using the FACES pain scale to gauge the client's level of pain is appropriate. This scale relies on the client's ability to understand and communicate using a specific language, which might not be possible if there is a language barrier.
Choice B Reason:
Using a communication board to interact with the client is inappropriate. While communication boards can be helpful, they might not effectively gauge the client's level of pain, especially if the client's primary language isn't available on the board.
Choice C Reason:
Using the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability (FLACC) scale to measure the client's pain level is appropriate. The FLACC scale is a pain assessment tool that evaluates pain in nonverbal patients or those who can't communicate effectively. It assesses facial expressions, leg movement, activity level, crying, and consolability to determine the level of pain the patient is experiencing.
Choice D Reason:
Asking an assistive personnel who speaks the same language as the client to interpret is inappropriate. Relying on an interpreter, even if they speak the same language as the client, might not be the best approach for pain assessment, as nuances related to pain expression and interpretation might be better captured through a standardized pain assessment tool like the FLACC scale.
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