Safe medication administration begins with knowing the client. This lesson explains how the nurse gathers and interprets information before giving a medication and uses that information to identify actual or potential problems.
The nursing process is a purposeful, systematic, client-centered approach to care. Its five steps—assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation—are connected and recur as a client’s condition changes. The client is at the center, and care considers physical, psychological, social, emotional, cultural, and spiritual needs.
All flashcards
What is assessment in the nursing process?
A systematic collection and recognition of information about the client’s current and potential health problems. Accurate assessment supports safe decisions in every later step.
What is medication reconciliation?
The process of identifying and verifying the most accurate list of medications a client takes, including the medication name, dose, route, frequency, and reason for use.
Why ask about medication reactions as well as allergies?
A reported reaction may be an allergy or an expected side effect. Clarifying and documenting what happened helps future providers assess risk appropriately.
How can liver or kidney dysfunction affect medication administration?
These conditions may alter drug metabolism or excretion, affecting drug exposure and potentially requiring a dosage adjustment or a different treatment.
How does a nursing diagnosis differ from a medical diagnosis?
A medical diagnosis identifies disease or pathophysiology. A nursing diagnosis identifies a client’s response, needs, or problems in a holistic context.
Quiz questions
What makes a client goal useful when planning nursing care?Answer: It describes an observable client response and includes a time frame.
A medication order does not specify a route. What should the nurse do?Answer: Clarify the order with the provider before administering the medication.
What does a barcode medication system check?Answer: It compares scanned client and medication identifiers with the order in the system.
Which activity primarily involves the psychomotor learning domain?Answer: Practicing how to draw up and inject insulin.
What should a nurse assess when evaluating medication care?Answer: Whether the intended effect occurred and whether adverse effects developed.
Based on Pharmacology for Nurses by Tina Barbour-Taylor, Leah Mueller (Sabato), Donna Paris, Dorie Weaver (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.