Final answer:
During medication reconciliation at discharge, a nurse should review the client's current medications with those prescribed for home use, ensure alignment with the hospital regimen, and provide clear instructions for medication use post-discharge. Verifying for discrepancies is also crucial.
Step-by-step explanation:
The medication reconciliation process is a critical part of patient care, especially during transitions such as discharge from a hospital. The correct answer to what actions a nurse should take as part of this process is: a) Reviewing the client's current medications and reconciling them with the medications prescribed for home use. This involves a thorough check to ensure that the medications the patient was taking before admission, during the stay, and those prescribed at discharge are all accounted for and appropriately adjusted.
Other aspects of medication reconciliation include: b) Ensuring the medications prescribed for home align with what the client has been taking in the hospital. The nurse should check for any changes in medication regimes. This is also an opportunity to verify any potential discrepancies between current prescriptions and the new home medication list as mentioned in option d).
Moreover, providing clear instructions to the client or their caregiver about the correct use of prescribed medications post-discharge is essential to prevent miscommunication and enhance patient safety. The medical team, including the surgeon, nurse, and anesthesia professional, must review aloud the key concerns for the recovery and care of the patient to ensure a smooth transition and proper medication management after discharge.