Level: Clinical
Difficulty: Medium
Subtopic: Substance use disorders
NCLEX: A 42-year-old client in a crisis stabilization unit is being evaluated for alcohol withdrawal risk. Assessment da…
Psychiatric / mental health nursing Psychosocial Integrity
Case Study
A 42-year-old client in a crisis stabilization unit is being evaluated for alcohol withdrawal risk. Assessment data include the client is pacing aggressively, clenching fists, and refusing to sit. Before a medication-related action, what must the nurse verify?
Question
A. Administer on schedule even when the client is unarousable.
B. Right client, medication, dose, route, time, allergies, indication, and relevant monitoring per protocol.
C. Skip allergy checks if the drug was given previously without reaction.
D. Delegate medication judgment to UAP to save time.
B. Right client, medication, dose, route, time, allergies, indication, and relevant monitoring per protocol.
C. Skip allergy checks if the drug was given previously without reaction.
D. Delegate medication judgment to UAP to save time.
Rationale
Correct answer: B. 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.
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.