A manager observes a rise in medication errors following staffing changes. What approach should the manager consider to decrease errors?
Motivate nurses who make medication errors to submit incident reports and include them in the patients’ records.
Delegate the task by requesting another department to manage quality improvement.
Work together with floor nurses to identify the causes of errors and develop solutions.
Prevent errors by highlighting the punishments for making a medication mistake.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A reason:
Motivating nurses to submit incident reports and include them in patients’ records is important for transparency and accountability. However, this approach alone does not address the root causes of medication errors. Incident reporting is a reactive measure that helps in documenting errors after they occur but does not proactively prevent future errors. Effective error reduction requires a more comprehensive strategy that includes identifying and addressing the underlying factors contributing to errors.
Choice B reason:
Delegating the task to another department to manage quality improvement might seem like a viable option, but it can lead to a disconnect between the staff directly involved in patient care and those responsible for quality improvement. This separation can result in a lack of ownership and accountability among the nursing staff. Quality improvement initiatives are most effective when they involve the active participation of the staff who are directly involved in the processes being improved.
Choice C reason:
Working together with floor nurses to identify the causes of errors and develop solutions is the most effective approach. This collaborative method ensures that the staff who are directly involved in patient care are engaged in the process of identifying issues and creating practical solutions. Nurses on the floor have firsthand knowledge of the challenges and can provide valuable insights into the factors contributing to medication errors. This approach fosters a culture of teamwork, continuous improvement, and shared responsibility for patient safety.
Choice D reason:
Preventing errors by highlighting the punishments for making a medication mistake is a punitive approach that can create a culture of fear and blame. This method is counterproductive as it discourages open communication and reporting of errors. When staff fear punishment, they are less likely to report mistakes, which hinders the ability to learn from errors and implement preventive measures. A more effective strategy focuses on creating a supportive environment where staff feel safe to report errors and participate in developing solutions.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["B","E"]
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
“The patient must consent because the procedure is necessary for survival.” This statement is incorrect because it implies that the necessity of the procedure overrides the patient’s autonomy. Informed consent is a fundamental ethical and legal requirement in healthcare. Patients have the right to make their own decisions about their treatment, even if refusing treatment may result in harm or death. Forcing consent undermines patient autonomy and can lead to legal and ethical issues.
Choice B Reason:
“Consent should not be forced.” This statement is correct and aligns with the principles of patient autonomy and informed consent. Forcing a patient to consent to a procedure violates their rights and can lead to ethical and legal complications. Healthcare providers must respect the patient’s decision, provide all necessary information, and support them in making an informed choice.
Choice C Reason:
“If the surgery is life-saving, we can proceed regardless of what the patient says.” This statement is incorrect. Even in life-saving situations, patients have the right to refuse treatment. There are very few exceptions to this rule, such as when a patient is deemed legally incompetent to make decisions. In such cases, a legal guardian or power of attorney may be involved. However, competent patients retain the right to refuse any medical intervention.
Choice D Reason:
“Sometimes patients refuse because they are anxious. Give them a sedative, then ask again.” This statement is inappropriate and unethical. Administering a sedative to obtain consent can be seen as coercive and does not respect the patient’s autonomy. It is important to address the patient’s concerns and anxiety through communication and support, rather than using medication to influence their decision.
Choice E Reason:
“The patient has every right to refuse.” This statement is correct and reflects the ethical principle of respect for patient autonomy. Patients have the right to make their own healthcare decisions, including the right to refuse treatment. Healthcare providers should ensure that patients are fully informed about their options and the potential consequences of their decisions, but ultimately, the decision rests with the patient.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Clinical Decision Support (CDS) systems are designed to provide healthcare professionals with knowledge and patient-specific information, intelligently filtered or presented at appropriate times, to enhance patient care. In this scenario, the CDS system generates an alert about the patient’s tetanus immunization status, prompting the nurse to take necessary actions. CDS systems are integral in improving healthcare quality and safety by ensuring that critical information is available when needed.
Choice B Reason:
Electronic Health Records (EHRs) are digital versions of patients’ paper charts and contain comprehensive patient data, including medical history, diagnoses, medications, treatment plans, immunization dates, and test results. While EHRs store the information that the CDS system uses to generate alerts, they do not independently produce alerts about specific clinical actions like immunization status. The alert functionality is typically a feature of the CDS system integrated within the EHR.
Choice C Reason:
WL Technology is not a recognized term in the context of healthcare technology. It appears to be a typographical error or a misunderstanding. Therefore, it does not apply to the scenario described and cannot be considered a valid option.
Choice D Reason:
Computerized Provider Order Entry (CPOE) systems allow healthcare providers to enter and manage orders for medications, laboratory tests, and other services electronically. While CPOE systems can improve the accuracy and efficiency of order processing, they do not typically generate alerts about immunization status. Such alerts are more commonly associated with CDS systems that analyze patient data and provide clinical recommendations.
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