When administering medication to a patient whose dose has a bar code on the medication wrapper that must be scanned by the computer, the nurse knows that which protocol(s) must be followed: (Select all that apply.)

Question

1. Just scan the bar code with the computer; there is no need to do anything else.
2. The drug must be checked before removing it from the unit-dose cart.
3. Check the dose before preparing or measuring the medication.
4. The drug must be checked just before you open it and give it to the patient.

Answer 1

2, 3, 4
Sometimes the medication dose has a bar code that is scanned by a computer, but you must also read the drug label at least three times: (1) before taking the drug from the unit-dose cart of shelf, (2) before preparing or measuring the prescribed dose of medication, and (3) before putting the medication back on the shelf or just before opening the medication at the time you give it to the patient.