NCLEX: A 73-year-old client on a telemetry unit is being evaluated for nursing care related to buffers and bicarbonate….

Chemistry or biochemistry basics Physiological Adaptation

Case Study

A 73-year-old client on a telemetry unit is being evaluated for nursing care related to buffers and bicarbonate. Assessment data include the client refuses a recommended intervention and requests another option. 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: Foundational

Difficulty: Easy

Subtopic: Buffers and bicarbonate