Question

A nurse administers a dose of metformin to a client instead of the prescribed dose of metoclopramide. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

A. Notify the provider.
B. Assess the client's blood glucose level.
C. Monitor for signs of metformin toxicity.
D. Complete an incident report.

Answer 1

First, assess the patient's blood glucose level after administering metformin by mistake, then notify the healthcare provider, watch for toxicity signs, and complete an incident report.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a nurse accidentally administers a dose of metformin instead of the prescribed dose of metoclopramide, the first action the nurse should take is B. Assess the client's blood glucose level. Metformin is an antihyperglycemic agent used in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus, and measuring the blood glucose will provide immediate information about the patient's current status. Once the patient’s condition is stable and it's confirmed they are not in immediate danger, the nurse should then notify the healthcare provider of the error, monitor for signs of metformin toxicity, and complete an incident report to document the error and initiate corrective actions to prevent future mistakes.