Safety and Infection Control Q 15

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A nurse has just started her rounds delivering medication. A new patient on her rounds is a 4-year-old boy who is non-verbal. This child does not have any identification on. What should the nurse do?

  

     A. Contact the provider

     B. Ask the child to write their name on paper

     C. Ask a coworker about the identification of the child

     D. Ask the father who is in the room the child’s name

    

    

Correct Answer: D. Ask the father who is in the room the child’s name.

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In this case, you can determine the name of the child by the father’s statement. You should not withhold the medication from the child after identification.

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Option A: Contacting the provider is unnecessary and may take time. A pediatric patient must have folks with them inside the room, so asking the child’s folks would be the most appropriate intervention.

Option B: The child may have not yet developed his writing abilities. Some children are able to write their names at age 4, but some typically developing children still aren’t ready until well into age.

Option C: Asking a coworker would be inappropriate and against the patient’s confidentiality.

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