Question

A pharmacy technician arrives on the nursing unit to deliver opioids and, following hospital protocol, asks the nurse to receive the medications. The nurse is assisting a confused and unsteady client back to the client's room. How should the nurse respond to the technician?

1. "I can't receive them right now. Please wait a few minutes or come back."
2. "Please leave the medications and sign-out sheet in a location where I can see them."
3. "Please bring them to me and I will be sure to put them away in a couple of minutes."
4. "I can't receive them right now. Please give them to the unlicensed healthcare worker."

Answer 1

The nurse should tell the pharmacy technician to wait or come back later, as receiving and securing opioids properly is critical, and the nurse is currently busy with a patient.

Step-by-step explanation:

In a healthcare setting, especially when handling controlled substances like opioids, it is crucial for a nurse to strictly follow protocol to ensure patient safety and medication security. When a pharmacy technician arrives to deliver opioids, and the nurse is currently occupied with a patient, the most appropriate response from the nurse would be, "I can't receive them right now. Please wait a few minutes or come back." This ensures that the medications are properly received and accounted for, which is vital for compliance with hospital protocols and to prevent potential drug diversion or errors in medication administration.