The nurse is caring for a client who receives a prescription for valproic acid in which the maximum safe dosage is 60 mg/kg/day.

How many mg/day is the maximum safe dosage for a client who weighs 176 pounds? (Enter numerical value only.).

Choice A rationale: Safety is the priority when a client experiences auditory hallucinations. The nurse must determine if the voices are "command hallucinations" that might instruct the client to harm themselves or others.

Choice B rationale: While substance use can cause psychosis, this is a secondary assessment. Identifying immediate risk for violence or self-harm takes precedence over determining the specific chemical etiology of the behavior.

Choice C rationale: Establishing the onset of symptoms helps with chronic versus acute diagnosis, but it does not address the immediate safety risk posed by potentially dangerous instructions from the voices.

Choice D rationale: Assessing the client's insight into their condition is important for long-term treatment planning, but it is less critical than identifying the content and intent of the hallucinations.

The correct answer is Choice C: Assign the remainder of medication administration to another Practical Nurse (PN) who is performing treatments.

Choice A reason: Denying the medication aide’s request to leave before all medications are given does not address the issue at hand and could potentially jeopardize patient care. It is important to acknowledge the medication aide’s request and find an appropriate solution that ensures patient safety and well-being.

Choice B reason: Delegating medication administration to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) who may not have the necessary training or authorization could lead to medication errors, adverse drug reactions, or other negative outcomes. It is essential to adhere to the scope of practice guidelines and facility policies when assigning tasks to UAPs.

Choice C reason: Reassigning the medication administration to another PN with the necessary qualifications and training ensures that patients receive their medications in a safe and timely manner. This action aligns with the practical nurse’s responsibility to supervise and delegate tasks appropriately, maintaining patient safety and upholding the standards of care.

Choice D reason: Documenting why medications were not given to each resident is an important aspect of maintaining accurate and comprehensive patient records. However, it does not address the immediate need to administer medications to residents, and it is not a substitute for ensuring that patients receive their prescribed treatments. Documentation should be completed after the appropriate steps have been taken to administer medications or arrange for an alternative solution.