A nurse on a pediatric unit is caring for a toddler who has poor dietary intake. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

A) Instruct another nurse to record the prescription in the medical record:
The nurse receiving a telephone prescription is responsible for ensuring the prescription is recorded correctly in the medical record. It is not appropriate to delegate this responsibility to another nurse. The nurse should personally document the prescription to ensure accuracy and clarity.

B) Withhold the medication until the provider signs the prescription:
The nurse should not withhold the medication solely based on the provider's signature. Telephone prescriptions are valid once they are received and documented accurately by the nurse. The prescription must be signed by the provider as soon as possible, but withholding medication is not warranted unless there are other concerns with the prescription.

C) Ask the provider to spell out the name of the medication:
When receiving a telephone prescription, the nurse should ask the provider to spell out the name of the medication to avoid errors. Medication names, especially those that sound similar, need to be communicated clearly to ensure correct medication administration. This action helps prevent misinterpretation or confusion, ensuring patient safety.

D) Record the date and time of the telephone prescription:
Recording the date and time of the telephone prescription is essential for accurate documentation and legal purposes. This step ensures that there is a clear record of when the prescription was given and that the provider’s order is traceable in the client’s medical record. It also assists in meeting legal and institutional documentation requirements.

E) Request that the provider confirm the read-back of the prescription:
The nurse should read back the prescription to the provider to confirm accuracy. This action is part of the "read-back" process, a safety measure used to verify that the prescription has been communicated correctly and understood by both the nurse and the provider. This step helps reduce the risk of medication errors.

A) "Ensure that the negative air pressure is active for the client’s room.": Negative air pressure is used for airborne precautions, such as in the case of tuberculosis or other airborne infections. MRSA is primarily spread through direct contact, not airborne transmission, so negative air pressure is not necessary in this situation.

B) "Place the client in a room with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter.": A HEPA filter is used for airborne precautions to filter out airborne particles like those found in diseases such as tuberculosis or measles. Since MRSA is transmitted through direct contact and not airborne particles, placing the client in a room with a HEPA filter is not necessary.

C) "Have the client wear a mask when they are out of their room.": MRSA is typically spread by direct contact with infected wounds, bodily fluids, or contaminated surfaces. It is not transmitted via respiratory droplets, so there is no need for the client to wear a mask when they leave their room. The focus should be on contact precautions rather than respiratory precautions.

D) "Don gloves prior to assisting the client with brushing their teeth.": MRSA is a contact-borne infection, so it is essential to use proper personal protective equipment, such as gloves, when coming into direct contact with the client or any of their bodily fluids or contaminated items (such as toothbrushes). Donning gloves prior to assisting with brushing their teeth ensures that the nurse avoids direct contact with potential sources of infection. This is an important measure in preventing the spread of MRSA.