The nurse is preparing to administer Protonix 40 mg PO to a client. The medication dispenser system is out of the tablets, but the nurse realizes that he can override and pull out IV Protonix instead. The client has a patent IV, and the nurse decides this will save time instead of calling the pharmacy for the missing medication. Which of the six rights of medication administration has the nurse violated?

  1. right dose
  2. right time
  3. right route
  4. right patient
  5. right medication
  6. right documentation
Number 3 is correct.
Rationale: The nurse cannot give a medication via a route other than what was ordered without contacting the health care provider and obtaining a new order. The nurse should notify the pharmacy so that the missing medication can be replaced. Options 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6 do not address the route of administration.