The nurse enters the patient's room to give medications. Which ...

[fbq8i]

The nurse enters the patient's room to give medications. Which action is most appropriate to identify the right patient?
 
  a. Ask the patient to state his name.
  b. Ask the patient to state his name and birth date.
  c. Ask the primary nurse to identify the patient.
  d. Say the patient's name and date of birth and request patient validation.

Question 2

The nurse is preparing a medication for a small child. The medication comes in pill or liquid form, but the liquid preparation has a bitter taste. Which action by the nurse is most appropriate?
 
  a. Give the pill form.
  b. Mix the liquid with honey.
  c. Mix the liquid in milk.
  d. Mix the liquid in applesauce.

[pami445]

Answer to Question 1

B
Before giving a medication to a patient, always use at least two patient identifiers (TJC, 20121a). Acceptable patient identifiers include the patient's name, an identification number assigned by the health care agency, and the date of birth.

Answer to Question 2

D
Children will refuse bitter or distasteful oral preparations. Mix the drug with a small amount (about 1 tsp) of a sweet-tasting substance such as jam, applesauce, sherbet, ice cream, or fruit puree. Offer the child juice or a flavored ice pop after medication administration. Liquid forms of medication are safer to swallow to avoid aspiration of small pills. Do not use honey in infants because of the risk for botulism. Do not place medication in an essential food item such as milk or formula; the child may refuse the food at a later time.