A client has a gastrotomy tube in place. The health care provider ordered the medication p.o. Which action would be appropriate for the nurse to take?

a) Clarifying the order with the charge nurse is not the correct action. The charge nurse may not be able to clarify medication orders and is not the primary contact for this issue. b) Diluting and administering the medication by gastrostomy tube (GT) is inappropriate because the medication is ordered to be taken p.o. (by mouth), not via the tube. c) Clarifying the order with the healthcare provider is the most appropriate step. A p.o. order is typically for oral administration, but the client has a gastrotomy tube. The nurse should clarify with the provider whether the medication can be crushed and administered via the tube or if a different route or medication form is necessary. d) Administering the medication p.o. as ordered would not be appropriate if the client is unable to take oral medications. The nurse should verify the appropriate route of administration based on the patient's condition.