When the 80-year-old female patient refuses to take a medication because it burns her stomach, what action should be taken by the nurse?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Documenting the reason for refusal and reporting the refusal to the charge nurse is the proper action to take. It is important to respect the patient's wishes and concerns and document any refusals to ensure proper and accurate medication administration. Crushing the pill and mixing it with the dessert on her meal tray could alter the way the medication works and lead to an incorrect dosage. Insisting that she take it "for her own good" is not respectful of the patient's autonomy and could result in noncompliance in the future. Circling and initialing the dose time to show non-administration is not enough documentation and could lead to errors in medication reconciliation.

When the 80-Year-Old Female Patient Refuses to Take a Medication