Question

A nurse is preparing to admin medication to a client who has gout. the nurse discovers that an error was made during the previous shift and the client received atenolol instead of allopurinol. which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

(a) Assess the client's blood pressure.
(b) Withhold the atenolol and notify the healthcare provider.
(c) Administer the allopurinol as ordered.
(d) Document the medication error in the client's medical record.

Answer 1

The nurse's first action should be to assess the client's blood pressure, as atenolol affects cardiovascular function. Subsequently, they should contact healthcare providers, withhold atenolol, administer allopurinol if indicated, and document the incident.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should first assess the client's blood pressure because atenolol is a medication that can affect heart rate and blood pressure. Atenolol is not used to treat gout; rather, it is a beta-blocker used to treat high blood pressure and other cardiovascular conditions. On the other hand, allopurinol is the medication prescribed for gout. It is a xanthine oxidase inhibitor, which prevents the formation of uric acid, thereby managing gout symptoms.

Once the nurse has ensured that the patient's vital signs are stable and no immediate adverse effects from the incorrect medication have occurred, they should notify the healthcare provider of the error, withhold further administration of atenolol, administer the correct medication - allopurinol - if still indicated, and finally document the error in the client's medical record following the institution's protocol.