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Question the metformin HCI order: Metformin 500 mg PO daily at 0900 is a standard dose for type 2 diabetes management. There is no immediate concern with the dose or timing that would make it unsafe or require urgent clarification. It can be prepared as scheduled.

Prepare to administer the 0900 medications: While administering medications on time is important, the nurse must first ensure that all prescriptions are safe and accurate. Administering digoxin without clarifying a potentially unsafe dose could put the client at risk for toxicity.

Clarify the hydrochlorothiazide order: Hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg every 12 hours is a typical regimen for hypertension or fluid management. The dose is standard, and there is no immediate safety concern requiring urgent clarification.

You are taking the correct amount of medication daily: Taking 3 teaspoons daily equals 15 mL, which is only half of the prescribed 30 mL. Therefore, the patient is underdosing and not taking the correct amount, which could reduce the medication’s effectiveness.

You should be taking 1 tablespoon of medication daily: One tablespoon equals 15 mL, which is only half of the prescribed dose. Following this advice would continue underdosing, failing to achieve the desired therapeutic effect.

You are taking too much medication every morning: The patient is actually taking only 3 teaspoons (15 mL) instead of the prescribed 30 mL. Therefore, the patient is underdosing, not overdosing.

2: Two tablespoons equal 30 mL, which is double the 15 mL being converted. Using this conversion would result in giving twice the intended dose, which could be dangerous.

4: Four tablespoons equal 60 mL, which is four times the intended 15 mL dose. This would significantly overdose the patient if used for measurement.

3: Three tablespoons equal 45 mL, which is three times the intended 15 mL dose. This conversion is incorrect and could result in serious medication errors.

Ask the patient if they want to take the medication: While obtaining the patient’s cooperation is important, it does not ensure that the right patient receives the correct medication. Patient preference cannot substitute for proper identification and safety checks.

Tell the patient the medication is safe: Providing reassurance is important for patient comfort, but it does not guarantee safety. Safety is ensured through verification of the medication, dose, and patient identity before administration.

Verify the medication with another nurse: Double-checking is essential for high-risk medications, but for routine oral medications, the initial priority is accurate patient identification. Verification with another nurse is secondary to confirming the correct patient.

The tall man lettering helps to quickly identify that the drug is an injectable drug: Tall man lettering does not indicate the route of administration. Injectable and oral forms can both use tall man lettering if name confusion is possible.

The tall man lettering means that this drug contains a boxed warning: Boxed warnings are indicated separately on labeling and in the prescribing information, not by tall man lettering. Tall man lettering addresses name confusion, not risk level.

The tall man lettering means this is a high-alert drug: High-alert medications are identified by special warnings, not by tall man lettering. Tall man lettering specifically targets drugs with look-alike or sound-alike names.

in: The abbreviation “in” is commonly used to indicate inches and is widely recognized in clinical and household contexts. It does not pose a risk of misinterpretation in medication administration.

tsp: “tsp” stands for teaspoon and is a standard, accepted abbreviation for liquid measurements. It is safe for use when teaching patients or administering medications.

tbsp: “tbsp” stands for tablespoon and is an accepted and widely understood abbreviation. It is standard for measuring liquid medications and does not require questioning.

Inhaled through the mouth or nose: Inhalation delivers medication to the respiratory tract and is not related to intradermal administration. Using this route would not achieve the intended therapeutic or diagnostic effect.

Placed between the gum and lining of the cheek: This describes the sublingual or buccal route, which allows rapid absorption into the bloodstream. It does not correspond to intradermal injection and would not be appropriate for the ordered 0.1 mL dose.

Given into the muscle: Intramuscular injections deliver medication into muscle tissue, allowing faster absorption than intradermal injections. Administering the drug intramuscularly would be incorrect for a test or medication intended for intradermal delivery.