Question

The nurse is a manager on a unit for clients with cognitive deficits. Clients tend to wander and not have the ability for self-identification. Which nursing intervention can be initiated to improve medication administration safety?

A. Have two nurses verify the ID number on the patients' wristbands.
B. Upload a photo of each patient to the electronic medical record.
C. Fasten an identification badge on the patient's gown or clothes.
D. Return wandering patients immediately to the correct room/bed.

Answer 1

To ensure safe medication administration for patients with cognitive deficits, uploading their photos for visual confirmation in the electronic medical record, double-checking wristband ID numbers by two nurses, and fastening identification badges on their clothing are all effective interventions.

Step-by-step explanation:

In order to improve medication administration safety for clients with cognitive deficits who may wander and lack self-identification abilities, several nursing interventions can be considered. Firstly, uploading a photo of each patient to the electronic medical record can serve as a visual confirmation for healthcare providers, ensuring the right patient receives the correct medication.

Another method could be to have two nurses verify the ID number on the patients' wristbands, which adds a layer of verification to the process, albeit it's not specifically addressing the wandering issue. Additionally, fastening an identification badge on the patient's clothes can provide immediate and visible confirmation of the patient's identity, even if they wander. It's crucial in a healthcare setting to verify a patient's identity before administering medication, and these steps can help prevent errors.