NCLEX: A 55-year-old client in postanesthesia care is being evaluated for subcutaneous insulin therapy. Assessment data…

Pharmacology Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies

Case Study

A 55-year-old client in postanesthesia care is being evaluated for subcutaneous insulin therapy. Assessment data include the client has potassium 5.8 mEq/L with muscle weakness on the monitor. Before a medication-related action, what must the nurse verify?

Question

A. Administer on schedule even when the client is unarousable.
B. Skip allergy checks if the drug was given previously without reaction.
C. Delegate medication judgment to UAP to save time.
D. Right client, medication, dose, route, time, allergies, indication, and relevant monitoring per protocol.

Rationale

Correct answer: D. Right client, medication, dose, route, time, allergies, indication, and relevant monitoring per protocol.

Rationale: Medication safety requires full rights verification and monitoring; shortcuts increase error risk on the NCLEX and at the bedside.

Hint: Apply ABCs, client stability, and NCSBN clinical judgment steps before choosing an intervention.

Level: Clinical

Difficulty: Medium

Subtopic: Insulin and antidiabetics