The licensed practical/vocational nurse administered the premixed ...

[burchfield96]

The licensed practical/vocational nurse administered the premixed intravenous antibiotic on the wrong client because he failed to check the client's identification band.
 
  The client whom he administered the antibiotic was allergic to the medication, had a do not resuscitate code status, and was diagnosed with end-stage acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Which action by the nurse is best?
  A) Call pharmacy for another premixed antibiotic and administer the correct medication to the right client after checking the client identification band
  B) Call the physician immediately explaining what happened and together explain treatment options to the client, and then chart the incident report
  C) Administer epinephrine per standing orders to prevent anaphylaxis and don't chart the medication given to the wrong client
  D) Complete an incident report and call pharmacy for another premixed bag and administer it to the correct client following proper drug administration guidelines

Question 2

The care team on an acute care unit is facing an ethical dilemma around a client whose family members do not want the client to learn the results of the latest diagnostic test.
 
  What is the first step that the care team should take when addressing this ethical dilemma?
  A) Implement the simplest solution and then evaluate the results
  B) Defer the decision to a religious leader from the client's culture
  C) Gather all the known facts surrounding the ethical dilemma
  D) Choose the plan of action that has had the most favorable results in the past

[deja]

Answer to Question 1

Ans: B
Feedback:
The nurse acting in an ethical manner shows accountability for his or her actions and also takes actions to protect his or her client's rights, do no harm, and provide safe care. The nurse should call the physician immediately explaining what happened and together, even if the physician is on a speaker phone, the client needs to know what happened, the consequences of the incident, and treatment choices the client has, so the client may make an informed decision. If the client decides, the client may want the epinephrine and continue as a do not resuscitate after the treatment is provided. The client may choose to not accept the treatment and die from the allergic reaction to the wrong medication that the nurse administered. The nurse should not act unethically and ignore what happened by continuing to care for the other client. It is unethical for the nurse to administer a resuscitation medication to a client who chose a do not resuscitate code status. The nurse needs to chart the medication administered to the wrong client. Although the nurse should complete an incident report, call pharmacy for another premixed bag, and administer it to the correct client following proper drug administration guidelines, the nurse must also care for the client who received the incorrect medication.

Answer to Question 2

Ans: C
Feedback:
A nurse's first guideline in thinking about a specific ethical dilemma is to collect the facts. This should precede any decision, including the decision to defer to another individual. The plan of action is made after the facts are analyzed. The simplest solution may not be the best choice ethically. The facts need to be analyzed before determining if the decision needs input from a religious leader from the client's culture.