The nurse inadvertently makes a med error gives a client a double dose of a prescribed medication. What action by the nurse is priority?

A. "I'll go and give the medication to the client right away.": Administering a medication prepared by another nurse violates the safety principle of preparing and giving only drugs you personally prepare.

B. "Go with me to identify the client properly, and then I'll give the medication for you.": Even with proper identification, administering another nurse’s prepared medication remains unsafe and against policy.

C. "I'll go help with the emergency situation while you administer the medication.": This response ignores the medication safety issue and shifts responsibility away from proper nursing protocol.

D. "You should ask the charge nurse to administer this medication.": This is the safest action, ensuring accountability and adherence to medication administration policies that prevent errors and protect both the client and nurse.

A. HS.: HS stands for “at bedtime” or “hour of sleep.” It is used when a medication is to be administered once daily in the evening or before sleeping, not on an as-needed basis.

B. PRN.: PRN means “as needed” and is derived from the Latin phrase pro re nata. It indicates that a medication should be given only when necessary, such as for pain, nausea, or anxiety, based on the patient’s condition and nursing assessment.

C. PO.: PO stands for “by mouth” or “orally.” It refers to the route of medication administration, not the frequency or timing of dosing.

D. MAR.: MAR stands for “Medication Administration Record,” which is the document or electronic chart used by healthcare providers to record and verify medication administration times, doses, and routes.