Question

You are checking on a patient for another RN colleague who has gone on a break. You notice a small cup of pills on the overbed table and ask the patient about it. He says, "Those pills have to be taken with food, so my nurse told me to wait for my lunch tray before I take them."What do you do?

a) Instruct the patient to take the pills immediately
b) Inform the charge nurse about the situation
c) Leave the pills and wait for the nurse's return
d) Offer the patient a small snack with the pills if possible

Answer 1

In this situation, it is important to offer the patient a small snack with the pills if possible and inform the charge nurse about the situation. Taking the pills immediately without food or waiting for the nurse's return is not advisable.

Step-by-step explanation:

In this situation, it is important to ensure that the patient receives their medication as prescribed. Since the patient says that the nurse instructed them to take the pills with food, it would be appropriate to offer the patient a small snack with the pills if possible. This will help ensure that the medication is taken as directed and will prevent any potential complications or adverse effects from not taking the pills with food.

It is also important to inform the charge nurse about the situation, as they are responsible for the overall management and coordination of patient care. They can provide further guidance and support in ensuring that the patient receives their medication properly.

It is not advisable to instruct the patient to take the pills immediately without food, as this could potentially lead to gastrointestinal discomfort or other unwanted effects. Leaving the pills and waiting for the nurse's return is also not ideal, as it may delay the patient's medication administration and could potentially result in missed doses.