The nurse is preparing to administer an antihypertensive and an anticoagulant to a client. Which should the nurse do first before administering the medication?
ask the client to state her name and date of birth
scan the client’s wristband and medication barcode
verify the client’s name, date of birth, and medical record number with the medication order
Number 5 is correct.
Rationale: The nurse should verify the client’s identity by comparing the name, date of birth, and medical record number on the armband with the medication order. The 2012 National Patient Safety Goals require using at least two identifiers to avoid medication errors. Verifying the client’s allergies should be done after correctly identify the client. Verifying the client’s name and room number is not as accurate. Asking the client to state her name and date of birth is not reliable in persons with altered mental status or in a nonresponsive client. Scanning the wristband and barcode should be done only after the two identifiers are completed, just prior to administering the medications.
