when the nurse is administering medications, the patient informs the nurse that the tablet usually received is a different color. the nurse should.. recheck the order before giving the drug

when the nurse is administering medications, the patient informs the nurse that the tablet usually received is a different color. the nurse should:

A. insist that the patient take the tablet she poured
B. have the patient take the tablet & then recheck the order
C. leave the medication at the bedside & recheck the order
D. recheck the order before giving the drug
E. verify the medication with the physician.

The safest and most appropriate action for the nurse in this situation is: D. recheck the order before giving the drug.

Here's why:

A. Insist the patient take the tablet:

This is never acceptable. The patient's observation could be crucial to preventing a medication error.

B. Have the patient take the tablet & then recheck the order:

This is risky. Giving the medication first could potentially harm the patient if it's incorrect.

C. Leave the medication at the bedside & recheck the order:

This delays necessary treatment if the medication is correct.

E. Verify with the physician immediately:

While consulting the physician is good practice for clarification, it shouldn't delay the initial safety check.

Therefore, the correct first step is to recheck the order against the patient's medication record and the original prescription. This ensures the dispensed medication matches the ordered medication in all aspects, including color.

Additionally, the nurse should:

• Ask the patient to describe the usual color of the medication.
• Visually compare the dispensed medication to the information in the medication reference.
• Consult the pharmacist for clarification if needed.
• Document the incident and action taken.

By following these steps, the nurse prioritizes patient safety and minimizes the risk of medication errors.