Author Question: The nurse receives an order to administer an unfamiliar medication and obtains a nurse's drug guide ... (Read 122 times)

Tazate · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

The nurse receives an order to administer an unfamiliar medication and obtains a nurse's drug guide published four years earlier. What is the nurse's most prudent action?

A) Find a more recent reference source.
B) Use the guide if the drug is listed.
C) Ask another nurse for drug information.
D) Verify the information in the guide with the pharmacist.

Question 2

A patient explains to a nurse that he had been taking amitriptyline (Elavil) for depression and that his physician changed his medication to clomipramine (Anafranil). The patient is confused and does not understand why his medication was changed.

The nurse's best response to the patient would be what? A) These drugs are similar but some patients respond better to one drug than another.
B) Did you take the amitriptyline like you should have?
C) Maybe the old medicine wasn't working anymore.
D) Clomipramine is newer and will be much better for you.

lucas dlamini · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

A
Feedback:
The nurse is responsible for all medications administered and must find a recent reference source to ensure the information learned about the medication is correct and current. Using an older drug guide could be dangerous because it would not contain the most up-to-date information. Asking another nurse or the pharmacist does not guarantee accurate information will be obtained and could harm the patient if the information is wrong.

Answer to Question 2

A
Feedback:
Because all tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are similarly effective, the choice of which TCA depends on individual response to the drug and tolerance of adverse effects. A patient who does not respond to one TCA may respond to another drug from this class. In addition, the nurse might inform the physician of the patient's question so the physician can explain his or her rationale for changing medications. By asking the patient if he took the medication as prescribed, the nurse is insinuating that he may not have and could damage the trusting nursepatient relationship. The nurse has no basis for commenting that the medication might not be working or that another drug would work better.