Question

A nurse is reviewing a client's medication administration record and finds that the client has not received a prescribed dose of warfarin for 2 days. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

A. Administer the missed doses of warfarin immediately.

B. Notify the healthcare provider about the missed doses of warfarin.

C. Document the missed doses in the client's medical record.

D. Educate the client about the importance of taking warfarin as prescribed.

Answer 1

The nurse should notify the healthcare provider about the missed doses of warfarin as the first action.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should notify the healthcare provider about the missed doses of warfarin as the first action. Warfarin is a medication that helps prevent blood clots, and missing doses can increase the risk of clot formation. The healthcare provider needs to be informed so that they can assess the situation and determine the appropriate course of action.

Administering the missed doses might be necessary, but it should be done after consulting with the healthcare provider. Documenting the missed doses in the client's medical record is important for documentation purposes, but it should not be the first action. Educating the client about the importance of taking warfarin as prescribed is essential, but it can be done after addressing the immediate concern of the missed doses and consulting with the healthcare provider.