If a nurse calculated the total dose of oral tablets as 4 and it was confirmed, what should be the nurse's next step?

In this scenario, the best next step for the nurse, after confirming the calculated total dose of oral tablets as 4, is to ensure that the patient is able to take that number of tablets without difficulty. This is crucial for patient safety and comfort. Checking if the patient has difficulty swallowing or has other contraindications related to the medication is essential before proceeding with administration.

Considering this clarification, the other options do not adequately address the immediate concern for patient safety. Questioning the physician could be unnecessary if the dose has already been confirmed. Similarly, giving the tablets as ordered may not be safe if the nurse has not yet assessed the patient's ability to take that many tablets. Explaining the procedure to the patient, while important for informed consent and understanding, does not address the critical evaluation of the patient's capability to take the medication safely. Therefore, assessing the patient’s ability to take 4 tablets is a logical and necessary next step before administering any medication.