Question

ThinkLike a Nurse 18-5 You are caring for two clients on a medical-surgical unit. One of your clients is short of breath and complaining of chest pain. Your other client is recovering from abdominal surgery. He is alert, stable, and free from pain at this time. After stabilizing your first client, you realize you are 45 minutes late administering a medication to the abdominal surgery patient. You are not sure how to proceed. . What theoretical knowledge do you need? You give the medicine as soon as you can (60 minutes late). How and where should you chart the medication administered? If you had been aware that you were going to be late with the medication, what might you have done to be sure it was given on time?

Answer 1

■the theoretical knowledge needed being a nurse are

• knowledge about the disease condition of the patient with dyspnea and chest pain .
• Knowledge about the post operative care in the abdominal surgery patient
• Prioritize the plan of care by differentiating the two conditions
• Knowledge about the medication, action, side effects and things to be observed on patient

■The most important thing to be considered here is the late administration of the medication so the documentation has to be done in the medication chart with the change of time given and adjusting the time for next dose.The nurses notes should describe about the late medication and intervention taken after mentioning the status of the patient.

■The best way to avoid this is by requesting a senior or the colleague by giving a brief history about the patient and administration of the particular medication at the specified time to prevent delaying of medication.