Final answer:
At the change of shifts in medical settings, it's mandatory to count the narcotics for the division to ensure proper tracking and prevent discrepancies. This procedure, along with reviewing patient procedures and equipment, is part of ensuring patient safety and care continuity. Strategies are also implemented to tackle issues arising from healthcare professionals working rotating shifts.
Step-by-step explanation:
At the change of shifts in a medical setting, a critical protocol must be followed to ensure patient safety and continuity of care. The correct answer to the question "Regarding medication administration, what must occur at the change of shifts?" is that the narcotics for the division are counted. This process is crucial to track the usage and prevent any discrepancies regarding controlled substances. Nurses often review several items aloud with the incoming shift team including the name of the procedure as recorded, the counts of needles, sponges, and instruments, whether the specimen is correctly labeled, and any issues with equipment.
Rotating shifts for healthcare professionals can be problematic as they may lead to fatigue and miscommunication. To address these issues, institutions can implement strategies such as ensuring adequate shift turnovers, offering education on the importance of sleep and mental health, and using standardized protocols for communication and medication counts.