A nurse is preparing to administer medications to a patient and discovers a discrepancy between the medication order and the patient's medication record. What is the nurse's priority action?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: When a nurse discovers a discrepancy between the medication order and the patient's medication record, the priority action is to verify the medication order with the prescriber to ensure accuracy and patient safety. Administering the medication without clarification can put the patient at risk. Documenting the discrepancy and informing the charge nurse is important, but it should not delay verifying the order with the prescriber. Contacting the pharmacy for clarification may be necessary in some cases, but the immediate action should be to confirm the prescription with the prescriber to prevent errors and ensure the patient receives the correct medication.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Providing emotional support and addressing psychosocial needs demonstrates palliative care principles when caring for a patient experiencing end-of-life symptoms. Palliative care focuses on holistic care that encompasses physical, emotional, and spiritual support for patients and their families during times of serious illness. By addressing emotional needs and providing support, the nurse helps improve the patient's quality of life and comfort during this difficult time. This approach goes beyond just managing physical symptoms and pain, recognizing the importance of supporting the patient's overall well-being. Encouraging the patient to make decisions about life-sustaining treatments is also an important aspect of palliative care, but providing emotional support and addressing psychosocial needs is crucial in palliative care practice.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: A nurse should wear sterile gloves and a surgical mask during a lumbar puncture procedure to maintain procedural asepsis. Sterile gloves help prevent contamination of the procedure site and reduce the risk of introducing microorganisms to the puncture site. Surgical masks help minimize the risk of respiratory secretions contaminating the sterile field, which is essential for maintaining asepsis during the procedure. Additionally, proper hand hygiene before and after the procedure is crucial in preventing the spread of infection.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Confirming the patient's informed consent before the procedure is the most crucial action for the nurse to prioritize to ensure procedural safety during a thoracentesis. Informed consent is a legal and ethical requirement that ensures the patient understands the purpose of the procedure, its potential risks, benefits, and alternatives. By confirming informed consent, the nurse ensures that the patient has the necessary information and has willingly agreed to undergo the procedure. This process promotes patient autonomy, prevents misunderstandings, and reduces the likelihood of legal issues related to the procedure. Additionally, verifying informed consent helps establish a foundation of trust between the healthcare team and the patient. While other actions like positioning the patient correctly and ensuring pre-procedure antibiotics may also contribute to the safety of the procedure, obtaining informed consent is the foundational step that must be prioritized.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Coordinating with radiology or gastroenterology for procedural guidance is crucial to ensure the success of a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube insertion. This procedure is typically performed under endoscopic guidance to ensure proper placement of the tube into the stomach through the abdominal wall. Radiology or gastroenterology professionals are trained to perform and guide the insertion procedure, making their involvement essential for a successful outcome. Additionally, their expertise helps minimize the risk of complications during and after the PEG tube placement.