Final answer:
To verify a client's identity, a nurse should ask the patient to state their name, which ensures proper identification and also assesses the patient's orientation and ability to interact. This practice is essential for patient safety and correct medication administration.
Step-by-step explanation:
A nurse on a medical-surgical unit needs to verify a patient's identity before administering medications. To ensure patient safety and correct identification, the nurse should ask questions that probe the patient's awareness of personal identity. A preferred question for this is, "What is your name?" This is not only to match the patient with their medical records accurately but also to assess if the patient is alert, oriented, and able to interact effectively. The patient's ability to correctly state their own name is a basic and crucial aspect of verifying identity and orientation. Other typical questions can include awareness of the date, location, or the procedure they're due to undergo, reflecting their understanding of their immediate circumstances and healthcare processes.
Incorrect options, such as asking for a phone number, room number, provider's name, or diagnosis, are less direct and might not accurately confirm identity, especially when cognitive function could be impaired. Hence, a correct approach involves straightforward and patient-specific identification practices as part of the healthcare provider's protocol for patient safety.