Author Question: The physician prescribes an oral medication for the patient. What is the primary nursing assessment ... (Read 54 times)

Frost2351 · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

The physician prescribes an oral medication for the patient. What is the primary nursing assessment of the patient prior to receiving this medication?

1. The patient's understanding of the medication
2. The patient's ability to swallow
3. The patient's allergies
4. The patient's eyesight

Question 2

The patient is having chest pain. The physician orders sublingual nitroglycerine STAT. The nurse obtains the medication from the pharmacy and administers it to the patient 30 minutes later. Which statement best describes the nurse's action?

1. The medication should have been administered immediately.
2. The physician should have specified the time frame for the medication.
3. The medication should have been administered within a 5-minute time frame.
4. The nursing action was correct because the medication was not on the unit.

ryansturges · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 2
Rationale: The ability of the patient to swallow is a safety issue to prevent aspiration of the medication. The patient's understanding is important, but not a priority. The patient's eyesight is not significant. The patient's allergies are important, but if the patient cannot swallow the medication, then the allergies are not significant.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 3
Rationale: For a STAT order, the time frame between writing the order and administering the drug should be 5 minutes or less. Not having a drug on the unit is not an excuse, as commonly ordered STAT medications should be kept in stock. Although the drug does not need to be administered immediately, it should be done within 5 minutes. It is not the physician's responsibility to specify the time frame.