A nurse is preparing to administer aspirin 650 mg PO every 12 hours. The amount available is aspirin 325 mg tablets.

How many tablets should the nurse administer? (Round the answer to the nearest whole number. Use a leading zero if it applies.

(Do not use a trailing zero) 

Choice A rationale
Using a standardized pediatric medication reference guide is not appropriate for administering insulin to a diabetic client. Insulin dosages are typically based on the client’s blood glucose levels and individual needs, not standardized pediatric references. Ensuring patient safety requires accurate and individualized dosage calculations.
Choice B rationale
Relying on memory for dosage calculations is not a safe practice. Human memory is fallible, and errors in dosage calculations can have serious consequences for the client. It is essential to use reliable methods and double-check calculations to ensure accuracy and patient safety.
Choice C rationale
Asking another nurse to double-check calculations is the most appropriate action for ensuring patient safety. This practice helps to catch any potential errors and ensures that the correct dosage is administered. Double-checking calculations is a standard safety measure in medication administration.
Choice D rationale
Performing dosage calculations manually is important, but it should be combined with double- checking by another nurse. Manual calculations alone do not provide an additional layer of verification to catch potential errors. Ensuring patient safety requires both accurate calculations and verification by another healthcare professional.

Choice A rationale
On initial evaluation by the home health nurse, a comprehensive assessment is typically performed to gather baseline data. This initial assessment is thorough and includes a detailed history and physical examination to understand the patient’s overall health status. It is not a partial ongoing assessment, which is more focused and conducted after the initial comprehensive assessment to monitor specific issues or changes in the patient’s condition.
Choice B rationale
Reassessing a client for pain after giving pain medication is an example of a partial ongoing assessment. This type of assessment is focused on evaluating the effectiveness of an intervention, such as pain medication, and determining if further action is needed. It involves collecting specific data related to the patient’s pain levels and response to treatment, rather than a comprehensive evaluation of their overall health.
Choice C rationale
Checking skin assessment on a patient with a medical device in place is also an example of a partial ongoing assessment. This focused assessment is conducted to monitor the condition of the skin around the medical device, looking for signs of pressure ulcers, infection, or other complications. It is not a comprehensive assessment but rather a targeted evaluation of a specific area of concern.

Choice D rationale
Preparing the client for discharge involves a comprehensive assessment to ensure that the patient is ready to leave the healthcare facility and can manage their care at home. This assessment includes evaluating the patient’s physical, psychological, and social needs, as well as their ability to perform activities of daily living. It is not a partial ongoing assessment, which is more focused and conducted during the course of care to monitor specific issues.