Which actions should a nurse take to prevent medication errors?
Select all that apply.

Preventing medication errors is a crucial aspect of nursing practice to ensure patient safety. Here are the explanations for the correct options:

b. Know the recommended dose range for the drug: It is essential for nurses to be knowledgeable about the recommended dose range for the medications they administer. Understanding the appropriate dosages helps in identifying any potential errors or discrepancies.

d. Question a drug dose that appears incorrect: If a nurse comes across a drug dose that seems incorrect or questionable, it is important to clarify and verify the dosage with the prescribing healthcare provider or pharmacist. This helps to prevent the administration of potentially harmful doses.

e. Recalculate the drug dosage if in doubt: If a nurse has doubts or uncertainties about the calculated drug dosage, it is crucial to double-check the calculations and recalculate to ensure accuracy. Being cautious and thorough in dosage calculations reduces the risk of medication errors.

a. Ask the charge nurse to administer the medication: While it is always advisable to seek guidance or clarification from senior nurses or charge nurses, the responsibility of administering medications lies with the nurse who has the knowledge and training to do so. Depending solely on the charge nurse to administer medications may not be practical or feasible in all situations.

c. Calculate all drug dosages by body surface area: Calculating drug dosages based on body surface area is necessary for certain medications, especially those with narrow therapeutic ranges or when administering chemotherapy drugs. However, it is not applicable to all medications. The method of dosage calculation varies depending on the medication and prescribed dosage regimen.

Therefore, the correct actions a nurse should take to prevent medication errors are knowing the recommended dose range for the drug, questioning a drug dose that appears incorrect, and recalculating the drug dosage if in doubt.