The nurse is providing meperidine (Demerol) to a patient who reports postsurgical pain 8/10. The order is for 50 mg to be orally administered to the patient in tablet form every 4 hours, but each tablet contains 100 mg. The best action by the nurse is to

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Administering half the tablet and disposing of the other half in a chemical waste container with another licensed nurse as a witness, recording the narcotic drug wastage on the narcotic record and having the witness cosign is the best action by the nurse as it follows proper protocol for narcotic drug wastage and prevents diversion. Saving the other half for the next dose is not appropriate as the medication may not be stable and the dose may not be accurate. Calling the doctor to change the order without consulting with the patient first is not appropriate as it infringes on the patient's right to be involved in their own care. Flushing the unused medication down the toilet is not appropriate as it can contribute to environmental harm.

The Nurse Is Providing Meperidine (Demerol) to a Patient Who