The nurse giving medications to a pediatric patient notes that an order for a medication is considerably larger than the usual dose
She looks up the medication in a pharmacology book and finds she is correct about the dosage. Which action should the nurse take?
a.
Documenting the findings in the chart after giving the medication
b.
Calling the nursing supervisor and ask what to do next
c.
Calling the pharmacist to obtain the usual dosage
d.
Notifying the physician of her findings before giving the medication
ANS: D
A
Documentation is important, but the order needs to be clarified before the medication is administered.
B
Although seeking advice from the supervisor is helpful, the nurse still needs to clarify the order with the physician who wrote it.
C
Although the pharmacist can check the dosage calculation and provide supportive information to the nurse, he or she is unable to change the order; only the physician can do that.
D
The nurse notifying the physician of her findings before giving the medication allows the physician to clarify the order if written incorrectly or to clarify his rationale for the increased amount.
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