An order is written for (phenytoin) Dilantin 500 mg IM q3-4h prn for pain. The nurse recognizes that treatment of pain is not a standard therapeutic indication for this drug

The nurse believes that the prescriber meant to write for hydromorphone (Dilaudid). What should the nurse do? a. Give the patient Dilaudid, as it was meant to be written.
b. Call the prescriber to clarify and justify the order.
c. Administer the medication and monitor the patient frequently.
d. Refuse to give the medication and notify the nurse supervisor.


B
If the nurse is apprehensive about the drug, dose, route, or reason for a medication, the nurse should first call the prescriber and clarify. The nurse should not change the order without the prescriber's consent. Ultimately, the nurse can be held responsible for administering an incorrect medication. If the prescriber is unwilling to change the order and does not justify the order in a reasonable and evidence-based manner, the nurse may refuse to give the medication and notify her supervisor.

Nursing

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You are caring for a patient with sickle cell disease in her home. Over the years, there has been joint damage, and the patient is in chronic pain. The patient has developed a tolerance to pain medication

When does the tolerance to pain medication become a problem? A) When delivering or administering the medication B) When dealing with the withdrawal symptoms from the tolerance C) When having to report the patient's addiction to her physician D) When the family becomes concerned about increasing dosage

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A nurse is reviewing a male client's family history for the presence of cardiovascular disease. Which question is most important?

1. "Was it your mother or your father who had a myocardial infarction?" 2. "Did the person with cardiovascular disease smoke?" 3. "How old was your parent when the myocardial infarction occurred?" 4. "Did your parent survive the heart attack?"

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The nurse reminds the patient who is to have a partial laryngectomy that the temporary tracheostomy that he will have postsurgery will be closed within ____________________ days

Fill in the blank(s) with correct word

Nursing

The nurse observes an 8-month-old infant cry when the mother leaves the room. What does this infant's behavior indicate to the nurse?

A) Confusion B) Permanence C) Reversibility D) Assimilation

Nursing