The nurse identifies that the ordered dose for a medication is twice the amount generally administered. What action should the nurse take?
1. Administer the medication as it was ordered.
2. Check to see if previous shift nurses gave the medication.
3. Collaborate with the prescriber about the order.
4. Administer only the standard dose of the medication.
Correct Answer: 3
Rationale: When the nurse has doubts about the correctness of a medication or medication dose for a specific client, collaboration with the prescriber is necessary. The nurse is legally and ethically responsible for all actions taken, including medication administration. The fact that previous nurses gave the medication as ordered does not make it the correct action. The nurse cannot change the amount of medication to give without collaborating with the prescriber. Administering the dose as ordered may harm the client.
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