The nurse is preparing to administer a medication from a unit-dose system. The nurse verifies that the medication, dose, and time are correct and that the expiration date was the day prior. Which action is correct?
a. Administer the medication and observe for adequate drug effects.
b. Notify the pharmacist and provider of a medication error.
c. Return the medication to the pharmacy to be replaced.
d. Verify the right patient and administer the medication.
ANS: C
If a drug expiration date has passed, it should be returned to the pharmacy or discarded, never used. A medication error would occur only if the medication was given.
You might also like to view...
Which criterion limits access to health care?
A. No public transportation B. Employment opportunities C. Transition programs for newly arrived legal residents D. Advocacy groups for immigrants
Which of the following factors would the nurse need to keep in mind about the focus of the initial history when assessing a new client with a musculoskeletal problem?
A) Client's age B) Client's lifestyle C) Any chronic disorder or recent injury D) Duration and location of discomfort or pain
Which best describes bioaccumulation?
A) Generally accomplished by the way of wind patterns or aquatic system B) Introduction of substances into ecologic food webs C) When the accumulation of a pollutant greatly exceeds the rate at which an organism eliminates it D) Simultaneous action of separate substances or agencies that together produce a greater total effect than the sum of individual effects
Palliative care should be considered for a terminally-ill child:
1. Within 1 year of death. 2. Within 2 months of death. 3. When a terminal illness is present. 4. At no time. It is not appropriate for children.