Question

A nurse is reviewing a client's medication prescription, which reads, "digoxin 0.25 by mouth every day." Which of the following components of the prescription should the nurse question?

Option 1: Medication name
Option 2: Route of administration
Option 3: Dosage
Option 4: Frequency

Answer 1

The nurse should verify the dosage of 'digoxin 0.25 by mouth every day' to ensure it meets the patient's individual needs while considering factors like age, body mass, and organ function that influence drug metabolism and clearance.

Step-by-step explanation:

When examining a medication prescription, a nurse must consider several elements to ensure the safety and efficacy of medication administration. Given the prescription 'digoxin 0.25 by mouth every day', the nurse should not need to question the medication name, route of administration (oral), or frequency (every day). However, the nurse may need to verify the dosage to be certain that it is appropriate for the patient's needs, taking into account individual factors such as age, body mass, liver and kidney function, as these can affect drug metabolism and clearance. The dosage in the question provided appears to be a standard adult dosage, but if there is any uncertainty about the patient's specific circumstances or if the dosage seems inappropriate based on known information about digoxin, the nurse should question it. Additionally, converting units and performing dosage calculations is a fundamental skill in nursing to prevent medication errors.