The nurse leader on the risk management committee notices an alarming increase in medication errors on a quarterly report.
Which is the first step in initiating a quality improvement project?
Go to the various nursing units and talk with the nurses on a daily basis.
Offer a two-hour educational program for staff about the costs of medication errors.
Collect monthly data at the nursing unit level to isolate specific patterns.
Recommend that the healthcare facility purchase a bar code scanner system.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale:
Going to various nursing units and talking with nurses on a daily basis is not the first step in initiating a quality improvement project when there is an increase in medication errors. While communication with nursing staff is essential, it should come after data collection and analysis to understand the specific patterns and causes of the errors.
Choice B rationale:
Offering a two-hour educational program about the costs of medication errors is a well-intentioned initiative but may not address the immediate need to understand and address the causes of the increase in errors. Education can be part of a broader quality improvement plan, but it should follow data collection and analysis.
Choice C rationale:
This is the correct answer. Collecting monthly data at the nursing unit level to isolate specific patterns is the first step in addressing the increase in medication errors. It allows the risk management committee to identify when and where errors are occurring, which is crucial for effective problem-solving and quality improvement.
Choice D rationale:
Recommending the purchase of a bar code scanner system is a solution that should be considered after identifying specific patterns and causes of medication errors. It may be a valuable intervention, but it should come later in the quality improvement process.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
An operational definition of a variable. Rationale: The statement provides an operational definition of the variable "cultural self-efficacy" by explaining how it is assessed, which is through the "Cultural Self-Efficacy Scale." An operational definition specifies how a variable will be measured or assessed in a research study.
Choice B rationale:
The introduction to a quantitative design is not accurate. This statement does not introduce a specific quantitative research design; it defines a variable and its measurement method.
Choice C rationale:
A conceptual definition of a variable is not accurate. The statement goes beyond providing a conceptual definition by specifying the measurement tool used to assess the variable.
Choice D rationale:
The theoretical framework is not discussed in the statement. It focuses on the operational definition of a variable rather than presenting a theoretical framework.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice D rationale:
A randomized controlled trial that concluded individual and group education achieve similar results. Rationale: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are considered the gold standard for assessing the effectiveness of interventions. In this case, an RCT concluded that individual and group education achieve similar results, providing strong evidence for decision-making in the diabetes management clinic.
Choice A rationale:
A descriptive study that found a positive link between individual teaching and blood glucose levels. Rationale: Descriptive studies provide valuable information but do not establish causal relationships. A positive link between individual teaching and blood glucose levels may suggest an association but does not necessarily demonstrate effectiveness.
Choice B rationale:
A qualitative study that interviewed subjects and found that they preferred individual education. Rationale: Qualitative studies explore preferences and experiences but do not typically provide evidence of effectiveness in terms of health outcomes or clinical practice.
Choice C rationale:
A cost analysis study that determined group education was less costly than individual education. Rationale: Cost analysis studies focus on economic aspects and cost-effectiveness but may not address clinical effectiveness or outcomes. The best evidence for clinical decision-making typically comes from RCTs.
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