Deck 15: Administering Oral and Enteral Medications

Question 1

The nurse is working with assistive personnel (AP) during a busy shift while administering medications. Which actions by the nurse are inappropriate when working with the AP? Select all that apply.

A) Informing the AP of the therapeutic effects that will be seen
B) Requesting that the AP inform the nurse if a side effect of the medication is noted
C) Asking the AP to assess vital signs after administering a blood pressure medication
D) Telling the AP to administer acetaminophen to a client as it is not a controlled substance
E) Asking the AP to check a client's pain after the nurse administers an analgesic

Answer 1

C, D, E
Explanation:1. Because the AP has limited medication knowledge, assessment and evaluation of the effectiveness of the medication remain the responsibility of the nurse. It is inappropriate for the nurse to ask the AP to assess vital signs after administering a blood pressure medication to a client and to check a client's pain after the nurse administers an analgesic. It is also inappropriate to have the AP administer any medications to the client. The nurse can inform the AP of the expected therapeutic effect of the medication and to notify the nurse if the AP believes that the client is experiencing a side effect of a medication.
2. Because the AP has limited medication knowledge, assessment and evaluation of the effectiveness of the medication remain the responsibility of the nurse. It is inappropriate for the nurse to ask the AP to assess vital signs after administering a blood pressure medication to a client and to check a client's pain after the nurse administers an analgesic. It is also inappropriate to have the AP administer any medications to the client. The nurse can inform the AP of the expected therapeutic effect of the medication and to notify the nurse if the AP believes that the client is experiencing a side effect of a medication.
3. Because the AP has limited medication knowledge, assessment and evaluation of the effectiveness of the medication remain the responsibility of the nurse. It is inappropriate for the nurse to ask the AP to assess vital signs after administering a blood pressure medication to a client and to check a client's pain after the nurse administers an analgesic. It is also inappropriate to have the AP administer any medications to the client. The nurse can inform the AP of the expected therapeutic effect of the medication and to notify the nurse if the AP believes that the client is experiencing a side effect of a medication.
4. Because the AP has limited medication knowledge, assessment and evaluation of the effectiveness of the medication remain the responsibility of the nurse. It is inappropriate for the nurse to ask the AP to assess vital signs after administering a blood pressure medication to a client and to check a client's pain after the nurse administers an analgesic. It is also inappropriate to have the AP administer any medications to the client. The nurse can inform the AP of the expected therapeutic effect of the medication and to notify the nurse if the AP believes that the client is experiencing a side effect of a medication.
5. Because the AP has limited medication knowledge, assessment and evaluation of the effectiveness of the medication remain the responsibility of the nurse. It is inappropriate for the nurse to ask the AP to assess vital signs after administering a blood pressure medication to a client and to check a client's pain after the nurse administers an analgesic. It is also inappropriate to have the AP administer any medications to the client. The nurse can inform the AP of the expected therapeutic effect of the medication and to notify the nurse if the AP believes that the client is experiencing a side effect of a medication.

Question 2

The nurse is preparing a medication for a client. At which time should the nurse check for the accuracy of the medication? Select all that apply.

A) Before taking the medication to the client
B) While placing the dose in the medication cup
C) After checking the client's identification band
D) When opening the unit dose package at the bedside
E) When removing the medication for the client's drawer

Answer 2

Before taking the medication to the client
While placing the dose in the medication cup
After checking the client's identification band
When opening the unit dose package at the bedside
When removing the medication for the client's drawer

Question 3

The assistive personnel (AP) reports to the nurse that a client who received pain medication an hour ago continues to experience pain. Which action should the nurse take?

A) Ask the AP to assess the location of the client's pain.
B) Give the AP another dose of medication for the client.
C) Assess the client to determine the reason for ongoing pain.
D) Tell the AP to inform the client that the medication will work in another hour.

Answer 3

C
Explanation:1. It is beyond the scope of practice for an AP to assess a client.
2. It is beyond the scope of practice for an AP to administer medications.
3. The client needs to be assessed to determine the reason for the ongoing pain. The nurse should complete this assessment and not assign it to the AP.
4. It is beyond the scope of practice for an AP to discuss medication effectiveness with a client.