The nurse in an acute-care facility is responsible for responding to medication/treatment orders via computer. Which of the following is a recommended guideline for this procedure?

Question

A) Check the computer every day to make sure no new orders were written.
B) Always do "STAT" orders first and document immediately after they are carried out.
C) Triple-check the name of the medication, dose, route, and frequency of administration.
D) Make sure all medications are reordered every 48 hours or 7 days.

Answer 1

B
Feedback:
The nurse responding to computer medication orders should always do "stat" orders first, and document these immediately after they are carried out. The nurse should check the computer at least every hour, to make sure no new orders have been written, double-check the name of the medication, dose, route, and frequency of administration, and note the date of a medication's discontinuation, because many medications must be reordered every 48 hours or every 7 days.