Final answer:
When preparing to administer medications on a medical-surgical unit, a nurse should verify a client's identity by asking the client to state their name. This serves as an identity check and a quick cognitive assessment. Other information such as phone numbers or room numbers are not reliable for this purpose.
Step-by-step explanation:
Verifying a Client's Identity in a Medical-Surgical Unit
When a nurse on a medical-surgical unit is preparing to administer medications to a client, it is crucial to verify the client's identity to ensure the safety of the medication administration process. The most reliable information for identity verification is asking the client to state their name. Verifying the name is a simple yet effective step in confirming that the medication being administered is intended for the correct individual. This not only ensures the medication goes to the right person but also serves as a quick assessment of the patient's cognitive status, ensuring that the patient is capable of interaction and understands their surroundings. Asking for other information such as phone number, room number, provider's name, or diagnosis could either be easily confused or does not directly relate to the person's identity and may not be a direct cognitive assessment tool.
Correct patient identification is a vital safety step in any healthcare process, including medication administration, surgery preparation, and patient care. This simple verification can prevent errors and ensure that healthcare professionals are providing care to the right patient. Along with this, nurses can confirm identity through checking hospital ID bracelets, when available, as an additional step in the patient identification process.