The nurse is caring for a client who needs to have a peak drug level drawn. The client was given an oral medication 30 minutes ago. What is the best action by the nurse?

Wait for at least another 30 minutes before calling to have the level drawn.

Schedule the level to be drawn in 8 hours

Call the lab to have the medication level drawn immediately

Arrange for the level to be drawn tomorrow since the peak time has passed.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

A. Wait for at least another 30 minutes before calling to have the level drawn:
For oral medications, peak drug levels are typically drawn 1 to 2 hours after administration, depending on the medication's pharmacokinetics. Since the client took the medication only 30 minutes ago, it is premature to draw the level now. Waiting an additional 30 minutes would align with the typical peak times for oral medications, ensuring that the drug level reflects its peak concentration.

B. Schedule the level to be drawn in 8 hours:
Drawing the peak level 8 hours after administration would likely be too late, as most oral medications reach their peak concentration within 1 to 2 hours. Scheduling the level for 8 hours later may result in an inaccurate measurement of the peak drug level, leading to potentially misleading clinical information.

C. Call the lab to have the medication level drawn immediately:
Drawing the level immediately after 30 minutes may not provide an accurate representation of the peak drug level. Oral medications generally reach peak levels later, and an early draw could result in a falsely low measurement that does not reflect the drug's maximum concentration.

D. Arrange for the level to be drawn tomorrow since the peak time has passed:
The peak time has not passed, as the medication was only administered 30 minutes ago. Drawing the level tomorrow would be far too late to assess the peak concentration accurately, which is essential for evaluating the effectiveness and safety of the medication.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A) Report the incident immediately to your supervisor upon noticing: Reporting the incident is an important step, but it should come after assessing the client's condition. Immediate assessment of the client's vital signs and overall status takes precedence to address any potential immediate health impacts due to the medication error.

B) Gather reversal agents to administer to the client: Gathering reversal agents is a critical step if the medication administered poses an immediate risk and reversal is necessary. However, this action should follow an initial assessment of the client's condition to determine if reversal is needed.

C) Notify the client's provider immediately while present with the client: Notifying the provider is essential to receive guidance on how to manage the medication error. Nonetheless, the first priority should be to assess the client's condition to provide accurate information to the provider.

D) Assess the client's vital signs: The initial action should be to assess the client’s vital signs and overall condition to determine any immediate effects of the incorrect medication. This assessment helps in identifying if the client is experiencing any adverse reactions or complications, which will guide subsequent actions such as notifying the provider and administering reversal agents if needed.

A. This hospital might use a different manufacturer, but the medication is the same." B. "What does your usual pill look like?" C. This is the medication prescribed by your provider." D. "This pill is probably from a different lot number than yours at home."

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. This hospital might use a different manufacturer, but the medication is the same:
While it is possible that different manufacturers might produce pills of varying appearances, this response does not directly address the client's concern or involve them in verifying the medication. It's important for the nurse to first understand what the client is accustomed to before providing reassurance about the medication.

B. What does your usual pill look like?:
Asking the client to describe their usual pill is the best response. This approach allows the nurse to verify the medication in question by comparing it to the client’s known medication. It also reassures the client that their concerns are being taken seriously and provides an opportunity for the nurse to check if there has been an error or if the medication is indeed correct.

C. This is the medication prescribed by your provider:
While this statement is factual, it does not directly address the client’s concern about the appearance of the medication. It's important to involve the client in verifying the medication to ensure they are receiving the correct drug and to maintain their trust.

D. This pill is probably from a different lot number than yours at home:
This response assumes the issue is related to the lot number, which may not be the case. It does not involve the client in the verification process or address their specific concern about the appearance of the medication. Providing a more thorough and engaging response would be more appropriate.

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The nurse is caring for a client who needs to have a peak drug level drawn. The client was given an oral medication 30 minutes ago. What is the best action by the nurse?

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