A nurse uses a barcoding system to administer medication. What additional step must the nurse take to ensure medication safety?
Skip manual checks since barcoding ensures accuracy.
Use the barcoding system only for high-risk medications.
Rely solely on the barcoding system for verification.
Conduct a manual check of the medication with the MAR before administration to ensure the medications match.
The Correct Answer is D
A. Skip manual checks since barcoding ensures accuracy: Barcoding significantly reduces errors but is not infallible. System errors, mislabeling, or scanning failures can occur, so skipping verification can compromise patient safety.
B. Use the barcoding system only for high-risk medications: Barcoding should be applied to all medications to ensure consistency and safety, not limited to high-risk drugs. Limiting its use increases the potential for errors with routine medications.
C. Rely solely on the barcoding system for verification: While barcoding aids in verification, nurses must also apply clinical judgment and confirm correct patient, medication, dose, route, and timing. Sole reliance on technology can miss errors the system does not detect.
D. Conduct a manual check of the medication with the MAR before administration to ensure the medications match: Performing a manual comparison between the medication and the MAR provides an additional safety layer. This step verifies that the correct drug, dose, and route are administered to the right patient, complementing the barcoding system.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Standing order: Standing orders are scheduled, routine prescriptions that are carried out at regular intervals until discontinued or modified. This does not apply because the medication is needed only for a specific event.
B. PRN order: PRN (“as needed”) orders allow medication administration based on patient symptoms or need. While an anti-anxiety medication could be PRN, in this case it is given specifically before a procedure, not based on subjective symptom assessment.
C. One-time order: A one-time order specifies a single administration of a medication for a particular purpose or event, such as prior to an MRI. This ensures the patient receives the drug exactly when needed and does not continue beyond the intended timeframe.
D. STAT order: STAT orders require immediate administration due to urgent or emergent conditions. Administering a pre-procedure medication does not typically constitute an emergency, so STAT is not appropriate here.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. At the measurement line: While graduated cylinders have marked measurement lines, the correct technique requires reading the meniscus rather than aligning the eye with a line on the cylinder. Measurement lines alone do not ensure accuracy.
B. At the base of the meniscus: Liquid in a cylinder forms a concave curve, and the correct volume is read at the lowest point of this meniscus at eye level. This method ensures precise measurement and prevents dosing errors.
C. At the bevel: The bevel refers to the slanted edge of a syringe needle, not a graduated cylinder. Reading at the bevel is irrelevant and would produce inaccurate volume readings.
D. At the top of the cylinder: Reading the top of the liquid meniscus overestimates the volume and can result in administering an incorrect dose. Accuracy requires aligning the eye with the meniscus base.
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