The nurse is preparing to administer medications to a patient. The patient is complaining of shortness of breath. The nurse should:

Question

a. provide the patient with oxygen since it does not require a provider order.
b. complete at least two checks to ensure that the proper medication is given.
c. check the provider orders for all forms of prescription medications.
d. remember that medication administration is an independent nursing action.

Answer 1

ANS: C
All forms of prescription medication (i.e., oral, topical, and parenteral) require an order before administration, as does providing oxygen to a patient. Medication administration is within the scope of nursing practice and is performed as a dependent nursing intervention. Nurses must complete three checks and follow the six rights of medication administration to safely carry out this type of dependent action. Nurses check the primary care provider's orders, the patient's allergies, and the expiration date of the medication to be administered, and then address the six rights. They include administering the right medication and dosage, by the correct route, to the right patient, at the right time, and documenting correctly.