The nurse is managing care for a group of patients on a renal failure unit. What does the nurse recognize as the most important patient safety precaution with regard to medication administration?
1. Know that patients will require less-than-average doses of medications.
2. Know which drugs will increase fluid retention.
3. Ensure that each patient's intake and output is measured precisely.
4. Be aware of what drugs are nephrotoxic.
Correct Answer: 1
Rationale: Administering the "average" dose of medication to a patient in severe renal failure can have mortal consequences. The consequences of recognizing that renal patients will require less-than-average doses of medications cannot be overemphasized. Recognizing which drugs are nephrotoxic is important, but not as important as knowing that patients will need less-than-average doses. Ensuring that each patient's intake and output is measured precisely is important, but not as important as knowing that patients will need less-than-average doses. Knowing which drugs will increase fluid retention is important, but not as important as knowing that patients will need less-than-average doses.
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