a nurse is unable to read the label on a bottle of liquid medication because the label is stained from spillage.
the nurse knows that the correct procedure is to:
- A. ask the charge nurse to verify the medication in the bottle and apply a new label.
- B. smell and test the medication and apply a new label if certain of the contents.
- C. empty the contents down the drain and notify the charge and the pharmacist.
- D. Send the bottle back to the pharmacy to be relabeled.
The correct procedure for the nurse in this situation is: A. Ask the charge nurse to verify the medication in the bottle and apply a new label.
Here's why the other options are not appropriate:
B. Smell and test the medication and apply a new label if certain of the contents:
This is incredibly dangerous and potentially harmful to the patient. Medications are not meant to be identified by smell or taste, and doing so could lead to serious errors.
C. Empty the contents down the drain and notify the charge and the pharmacist:
While it's important to notify the charge and pharmacist, simply dumping the medication down the drain is not the correct procedure. It's important to follow proper disposal guidelines for hazardous materials, which could vary depending on the specific medication and local regulations.
D. Send the bottle back to the pharmacy to be relabeled:
While this might seem like a reasonable option, it could delay patient care and is not the most efficient solution. In urgent situations, verifying the medication with the charge nurse is the quickest and safest way to ensure accurate administration.
Necessary Steps:
Therefore, the nurse should follow these steps:
- Do not administer the medication.
- Inform the charge nurse immediately about the unreadable label.
- The charge nurse should verify the medication in the bottle using another source, such as the medication administration record (MAR) or the original pharmacy label.
- If the medication is confirmed, the charge nurse should apply a new label from the pharmacy stock.
- The original stained label should be kept in a safe place for documentation purposes.
- The incident should be reported to the pharmacist for proper disposal of the unlabeled medication.
Following these steps ensures patient safety and adheres to proper medication administration procedures.
Remember, when in doubt about any medication, always err on the side of caution and seek clarification from a qualified healthcare professional.
