Final answer:
When a nurse finds a client's medications at the bedside, they should assess why they were not taken, follow proper disposal or late administration procedures, report the incident, and document all actions taken in the patient's medical record.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a nurse finds a client's bedtime medications at the bedside, the appropriate action would be to first assess the situation: Why were the medications not taken? Did the client forget, refuse, or were they unable to take the medication for some reason? Careful documentation is required, and depending on the facility's policies, the nurse should either attempt to administer the medication if it is still within the appropriate time frame or dispose of it safely if it can't be taken.
Next, the nurse would need to report the finding to the physician if required and document the incident in the patient's medical record. In such documentation, the nurse should include:
- That the medication was not taken as prescribed
- The time and date the medications were found
- Any action taken regarding the medication, such as administering it late or disposal
- Communication with the client about their medications
- Any necessary follow-up actions or monitoring
Ensuring medication safety is a critical component of nursing care, and finding unadministered medication is an issue that requires immediate attention and proper resolution to maintain patient safety and quality of care.