After documenting a missed dose and notifying the nurse, what is the next appropriate step?

• A. Administer the dose immediately
• B. Document and do nothing else
• C. Follow facility policy and obtain guidance from the nurse or prescriber
• D. Discard the medication

Answer: (C)

When a dose is missed, the next step is to follow the facility’s policy and obtain guidance from the nurse or prescriber. This ensures you handle the situation safely and consistently, since the appropriate action (whether to give the dose now, reschedule it, or hold it) depends on the patient’s treatment plan, timing, and possible interactions or safety concerns. The nurse or prescriber can review the MAR, consider the dosing schedule, and provide an order or instruction to avoid double-dosing or disrupting therapeutic levels. Simply administering the dose right away, doing nothing after reporting the miss, or discarding the medication without direction could lead to dosing errors or unsafe practices. Following the policy and consulting the clinician keeps the care plan on track and protects the patient.