Question

Which of the following actions should the nurse take while performing medication reconciliation?

Option 1: Verify the client's name on their identification bracelet with the medication administration record.
Option 2: Call the pharmacy to determine whether the client's medications are available.
Option 3: Compare the client's home medications with the provider's prescriptions.
Option 4: Place the client's home medication bottles in a secure location.

Answer 1

Performing medication reconciliation involves comparing the client's home medications with provider's prescriptions to ensure accuracy and safety in medication management. It identifies discrepancies between records and actual medication regimen, enabling the correction of potential errors.

Step-by-step explanation:

When performing medication reconciliation, the nurse should undertake several actions to ensure safety and accuracy in medication management. One crucial action is to compare the client's home medications with the provider's prescriptions. This involves reviewing the medication administration record and the client's actual medication regimen to verify that they match what the healthcare provider prescribed. It ensures the continuity of care across different settings and identifies any discrepancies that need to be addressed. The process may involve correcting dosages, routes, times of administration, or identifying potential interactions or duplications.

Option 1 is also an important action for accurate medication administration, but it is not specifically a part of medication reconciliation. Option 2 and Option 4 involve logistical and security aspects of medication management, but they are not directly related to the reconciliation process itself, which is primarily concerned with verifying the correctness and safety of the medication regimen.