Author Question: It is late at night on the medical unit in the hospital, and the physician calls to leave orders for ... (Read 156 times)

vicotolentino · **on:** Jul 22, 2018

It is late at night on the medical unit in the hospital, and the physician calls to leave orders for one of his clients. The licensed practical nurse (LPN) answers the phone and appropriately re-sponds with which of the following statements?

a. Let me get the registered nurse on the phone.
b. I am unable to take the order at this time. Please call in the morning.
c. Please repeat the order for me so I can make sure it is written correctly.
d. Let me have your phone number, and I will have the supervisor call you back.

Question 2

The nurse should question which order?

a. A normal saline enema to be repeated every 4 hours until stool is produced
b. A hypertonic solution enema with a patient with fluid volume excess
c. A Kayexalate enema for a patient with hypokalemia
d. An oil retention enema for a patient using mineral oil laxatives

lkoler · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 22, 2018

Answer to Question 1

A
A telephone order involves a physician stating a prescribed therapy over the phone to a registered nurse.
I am unable to take the order at this time. Please call in the morning is not an appropriate re-sponse and is not in the client's best interest.
It is best to repeat any prescribed orders back to the physician, who can then verify whether it is correct or clarify the order. A registered nurse must be the one to take the verbal order.
Let me have your phone number, and I will have the supervisor call you back is not the appro-priate response. A registered nurse must take the verbal order; the nursing supervisor does not need to take it.

Answer to Question 2

C
Kayexalate binds to and helps excrete potassium, so it would be contraindicated in patients who are hypokalemic (have low potassium). Normal saline enemas can be repeated without risk of fluid or electrolyte imbalance. Hypertonic solutions are intended for patients who cannot handle large fluid volume and are contraindicated for dehydrated patients. Because mineral oil laxatives and an oil retention enema have the same intended effect of lubricating the colon and rectum, an oil retention enema is not needed.