Question

A nurse is preparing to administer diphenhydramine 50 mg PO at 2200 to a client who has difficulty swallowing pills and capsules. Available is diphenhydramine syrup 12.5 mg/5 mL PO. Which of the following nursing actions requires the completion of an incident report?

A. Giving the medication at 2140
B. Administering the medication with grapefruit juice
C. Giving the medication when the clients apical pulse is 58/min
D. Administering 25 mL of the syrup

Answer 1

The nursing action that requires the completion of an incident report is giving the medication when the client's apical pulse is 58/min.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nursing action that requires the completion of an incident report is C. Giving the medication when the client's apical pulse is 58/min.

Administering medications and monitoring the client's vital signs are key responsibilities of nurses. The normal range for the apical pulse rate in adults is typically 60-100 beats per minute. A pulse rate of 58 beats per minute indicates bradycardia (a slow heart rate), which can be a cause for concern and may necessitate further assessment or intervention. Therefore, administering the medication in this situation requires documenting the incident and notifying the appropriate healthcare provider.