What should a nurse do if she realizes another nurse prepared medications for her?

When a nurse realizes that another nurse has prepared medications for her, the appropriate course of action is to never give medications that were prepared by someone else. This is important for several reasons, primarily centered around patient safety and the principles of medication administration.

Medications can be complex, and the responsibility for administering them lies with the nurse who is providing them to the patient. Each nurse is accountable for ensuring that the right medication, at the right dose, via the right route, is given to the right patient at the right time. Administering medications prepared by another nurse can introduce risks, such as miscommunication, errors in dosage, or issues related to the proper indication for use. Furthermore, the nurse who prepares the medication might have insights or context that the administering nurse lacks, which could affect the safety and efficacy of the medication.

By refusing to give medications prepared by another person, the nurse prioritizes patient safety and adheres to best practices in nursing. It ensures that she has complete knowledge of what the patient is receiving and can take full responsibility for that decision, which is fundamental in nursing practice. This approach also fosters a culture of accountability in healthcare environments, encouraging nurses to prepare and administer their medications in a safe manner.