What is the initial nursing intervention when preparing for medication administration for a newly admitted client?

When preparing for medication administration for a newly admitted client, holding the morning dose of clozapine as an initial nursing intervention may be appropriate based on several crucial considerations. Clozapine is an antipsychotic medication that requires careful monitoring due to potential side effects, including agranulocytosis, a serious decrease in white blood cell count that can lead to increased susceptibility to infections.

Initially, it is essential to assess the client’s medical history, including their current health status, any previous adverse reactions to medications, or specific reasons they might need to have the dose held. Essential laboratory values, particularly complete blood counts (CBC), should be checked to determine if it is safe to administer the medication. If the client has not had recent laboratory tests done since admission, it is prudent to hold the medication until these can be verified to avoid harm.

Proper medication administration also includes monitoring vital signs and mental status to establish the client’s baseline condition. If there are any concerns about the client’s state that could affect their response to clozapine, holding the dose is a cautious approach.

Taking into account the client’s current health and medication history, the correct action is to hold the morning dose of clozapine until further assessment is made.