NURS 3100 Exam 1 Practice

To ensure safe medication administration, what should a nurse prioritize before giving a topical medication?

1. Assess skin condition where the medication will be applied

2. Check potential interactions with other medications

3. Confirm the patient's understanding of medication use

4. Monitor the patient's vital signs

The correct answer is: Assess skin condition where the medication will be applied

Before giving a topical medication, a nurse should prioritize assessing the skin condition where the medication will be applied. This is crucial as it allows the nurse to identify any existing skin issues or sensitivity that may impact the absorption, distribution, or effectiveness of the medication. Assessing the skin condition also helps in preventing adverse reactions or complications that could arise from applying the medication to compromised skin. Checking potential interactions with other medications, confirming the patient's understanding of medication use, and monitoring the patient's vital signs are all important aspects of medication administration. However, when it comes to topical medications specifically, assessing the skin condition takes precedence to ensure the safe and effective application of the medication.