If a healthcare provider prescribes a PRN medication that is four times the normal dosage, what should the nurse do?

When a healthcare provider prescribes a PRN medication that is four times the normal dosage, the nurse is responsible for ensuring patient safety and proper medication administration. In this scenario, contacting the healthcare provider to report the dosage is the appropriate action. This step is critical because administering a dosage that exceeds the recommended limits can pose serious risks to the patient's health, such as potential overdose, adverse reactions, or severe side effects.

By calling the healthcare provider, the nurse can clarify the prescription, confirm whether it was an error, or understand the rationale behind the unusually high dosage. This action demonstrates the nurse's role as an advocate for the patient and emphasizes the importance of communication in the healthcare team. It is a fundamental aspect of nursing practice to question any discrepancies or concerns regarding medication orders to ensure that the patient's safety and wellbeing are prioritized.

In contrast, administering the medication as prescribed without verification poses a risk to the patient, documenting the prescription without questioning it does not address safety concerns, and seeking another nurse's opinion, while a supportive gesture, does not replace the responsibility of confirming the prescription directly with the provider. This reinforces why the correct action is to report the dosage back to the healthcare provider.