Question

The pediatric nurse prepares to administer prescribed medications to a school-age client who is diagnosed with heart failure. Prior to administering the prescribed diuretic, which action by the nurse properly identifies the child for medication administration? Select all that apply.

A. Asking the client to state his or her first and last name
B. Asking the client or parent to state the child's date of birth
C. Asking the client's parent to identify their child by his or her first name
D. Stating the client's first and last name and asking the child if it is correct
E. Verifying the client's birth date on the identification band and the medical record

Answer 1

To administer medication to a child with heart failure, a nurse should confirm the patient's identity by asking them to state their full name, inquire about the date of birth from them or their parent, and verify the information on the identification band and medical record. The options (A) and (B) are correct.

Step-by-step explanation:

When preparing to administer medication to a school-age client diagnosed with heart failure, a nurse should perform proper patient identification before proceeding. Regarding the actions the nurse may take to properly identify the child, the following steps are appropriate:

• Asking the client to state his or her first and last name helps ensure the patient is aware, oriented, and capable of interaction.
• Asking the client or parent to state the child's date of birth serves as an additional layer of verification.
• Verifying the client's birth date on the identification band and the medical record is a critical step to confirm the identity and prevent any medication errors.

It is less reliable to ask the parent to simply identify the child by first name because it lacks specificity and does not verify identity as securely as the other methods. Similarly, stating the client's name and asking for verification is not as strong since it presumes the child's ability to correct any potential mistakes. In healthcare settings, using multiple methods to verify a patient's identity is the standard to reduce the risk of errors. Therefore, options (A) and (B) are correct.