While being prepared for surgery, the patient tells the nurse that he didn't take the ordered antibiotics in preparation for the surgery. What initial action should the nurse take?

Question

a. Document what the patient just said.
b. Order the missed medication but in a pa-renteral form.
c. Notify the patient's surgeon.
d. Ask the patient why he didn't take it.

Answer 1

C
The nurse must alert the surgeon of the patient's lack of compliance regarding taking the ordered antibiotics so the surgeon can make a decision. The nurse will document what the patient said, but it is more critical to alert the surgeon. The CDC has identified prophylactice antiobiotics, as recommended, to be crucial in preventing surgical site infections. The nurse cannot order a me-dication, even though the patient said that the surgeon has ordered it, because there is no order available; nor can the nurse change the medication route of administration. Asking a "why" question is nontherapeutic because it puts the patient in a defensive position.