Funky Test question...

Okay last semester we were given a practice test at the start and was told it wouldn't count but was more of a wake-up call for some of the stuff we needed to know in 3rd semester. They also told us they would give the exact same test at the beginning of 3rd semester and this time it would count. I would have posted this under the assistance forum but I am pretty sure this will lead to a discussion. Also realize that even though we were given the test back we were never given the answers. So I am curious as to what some of you might have put as answer to this question.

"You enter your patients room and find a pill lying on their bedstand. What action should you take next?"

-I answered that I would ask the pt were it came form (as in is something they brought in or something I brought in) some of my classmates said they would have thrown it away (I would have disposed of it eventually after I found out where it came from). What do ya'll think?

[twinmommy+2, ADN, BSN, MSN]

Okay last semester we were given a practice test at the start and was told it wouldn't count but was more of a wake-up call for some of the stuff we needed to know in 3rd semester. They also told us they would give the exact same test at the beginning of 3rd semester and this time it would count. I would have posted this under the assistance forum but I am pretty sure this will lead to a discussion. Also realize that even though we were given the test back we were never given the answers. So I am curious as to what some of you might have put as answer to this question.

"You enter your patients room and find a pill lying on their bedstand. What action should you take next?"

-I answered that I would ask the pt were it came form (as in is something they brought in or something I brought in) some of my classmates said they would have thrown it away (I would have disposed of it eventually after I found out where it came from). What do ya'll think?

Oh man, I would probably do the same thing in real life. What were the options?

[lunakat]

There were no options for that question. Believe me I wish there were though!

[rambisisking]

You would ask the patient what it was and why it was there... provided you do not work in a nursing home dealing with a senile patient. In any case, one of your further actions would be documenting the incident and that information would be of valid concern. The med my be saved for DON or MD if unidentifiable. Throwing away the medication does not solve the mystery.

[casi, ASN, RN]

First thing I would have done was examined the pill to see if it was something held under the tongue and spit out without anyone knowing, then I would have checked it against the patients other meds to see if it was something that was infact one of the patients prescribed pills. I guess I might ask the patient too, I'm just to use to working with alzheimers, that I know the question wouldn't get me much.