Question

A nurse is performing the third check before administering hydromorphone to a client. After opening the unit-dose packet, the client tells the nurse they do not want to take the medication now. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Complete an occurrence report of the incident.
Encourage the client to take the medication.
Leave the medication at the client's bedside in case they change their mind.
Dispose of the medication with a second nurse as a witness.

Answer 1

The nurse should dispose of the unused hydromorphone with a second nurse as a witness to ensure proper disposal and adherence to medication safety protocols.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a nurse performs the third check before administering hydromorphone and the client declines the medication after the unit-dose packet is opened, the nurse should not leave the medication at the client's bedside, as this could lead to medication errors or misuse. Encouraging the client to take the medication may be appropriate depending on the circumstances, but coercion should never be used. Filling out an occurrence report is usually not necessary in this situation. The correct action is to dispose of the medication with a second nurse as a witness. This adheres to the hospital's medication disposal policy to ensure that controlled substances are accounted for properly and to mitigate any risks of diversion or misuse.