What are the two most common nursing diagnoses for medication administration?

• A. Ineffective coping and risk for infection.
• B. Deficient knowledge and noncompliance.
• C. Pain and constipation.
• D. Knowledge deficit alone.

Answer: (B)

When med administration is the focus, the most common nursing diagnoses relate to the patient’s knowledge about the meds and their adherence to the regimen. Deficient knowledge captures gaps in understanding about what a medication is for, how to take it, timing and dosing, potential side effects, interactions, and safety precautions. Nurses address this by teaching, using simple language, and using teach-back to confirm understanding so the patient can take meds correctly.

Noncompliance (nonadherence) reflects the patient’s failure to follow the prescribed regimen, which can stem from complexity, side effects, cost, forgetfulness, or personal beliefs. Interventions aim to reduce barriers, simplify schedules, involve caregivers, and reinforce motivation and understanding to improve consistency in taking medications.

The other options don’t fit as well because they describe broader psychosocial issues or symptoms rather than the core reasons tied specifically to medication administration—these don’t address the frequent, instruction-related knowledge gaps and adherence challenges that nurses routinely must manage.