What should a nurse do upon discovering a discrepancy in a patient's medication list?

Upon discovering a discrepancy in a patient's medication list, it is crucial for the nurse to document the observation and notify the healthcare provider. This action is important for several reasons.

First, documenting the discrepancy ensures that there is a record of the issue for future reference, which can be important for continuity of care and legal purposes. It establishes a clear timeline of the events, which can be crucial if further actions are needed later on.

Second, notifying the healthcare provider is essential because they are responsible for making clinical decisions regarding the patient's care. The provider may need to adjust the patient's treatment plan based on the updated and accurate medication information to ensure the patient's safety and effective management of their condition.

Taking immediate actions like consulting the pharmacy can be necessary in some situations, but the priority should be to communicate the issue to the healthcare provider who can then take further actions based on their clinical judgment. Waiting until the physician is available or ignoring the discrepancy could lead to medication errors, potential harm to the patient, and broader implications for patient safety and care quality. Hence, documenting and notifying the healthcare provider is the most effective and responsible approach to managing medication discrepancies.