A nurse realizes they made an incorrect entry in a patient’s medication administration record. What is the appropriate action for the nurse to take?

Choice A rationale
Following the order as prescribed without clarification can lead to errors if the order is unclear or incomplete.
Choice B rationale
Administering the medication at a later time without clarification can also lead to errors and may delay necessary treatment.
Choice C rationale
Disregarding the order and seeking approval from another physician is not appropriate. The nurse should seek clarification from the ordering physician.
Choice D rationale
Asking the physician to clarify the dosage and route ensures that the order is accurate and complete, reducing the risk of medication errors.

Choice A rationale
Ignoring the error, even if it does not affect patient care, is incorrect. Ignoring errors can lead to a culture of complacency and potentially more significant errors in the future. It is essential to address all errors to maintain accurate records and ensure patient safety.
Choice B rationale
Drawing a single line through the error, initialing, and dating it is the correct action. This method maintains the integrity of the medical record while clearly indicating that an error was made and corrected. It ensures transparency and accountability in documentation.
Choice C rationale
Leaving the error as is and informing the nurse manager is not the best practice. While informing the nurse manager is important, the error should be corrected in the medical record to prevent any potential confusion or miscommunication.
Choice D rationale
Erasing the incorrect entry and writing the correct one is incorrect. Erasing or obliterating entries in a medical record is not allowed as it can be seen as tampering with the record. It is crucial to maintain the original entry and make corrections transparently.