Which situation demonstrates ethical reporting of a medication error?
The nurse reports the error to the physician and the charge nurse but does not document the error due to possible legal action.
The nurse does not report or document the error, since the error did not result in any harm to the patient.
The nurse does not report the error, because the error was caught and corrected prior to drug administration.
The nurse informs the patient, documents the error as per hospital policy, and notifies the physician.
The Correct Answer is D
A) The nurse reports the error to the physician and the charge nurse but does not document the error due to possible legal action: Ethical reporting includes thorough documentation of the error, regardless of potential legal implications. Failing to document the error could compromise patient safety and the quality of care, and it does not fulfill the requirement for transparent and comprehensive reporting.
B) The nurse does not report or document the error, since the error did not result in any harm to the patient: Ethical reporting of medication errors involves documenting and reporting all errors, regardless of whether harm occurred. This helps in preventing future errors and maintaining a culture of safety and accountability.
C) The nurse does not report the error, because the error was caught and corrected prior to drug administration: Even if the error was corrected before administration, it is crucial to report and document the incident. This practice helps identify potential systemic issues and improve safety protocols.
D) The nurse informs the patient, documents the error as per hospital policy, and notifies the physician: This action demonstrates ethical reporting as it includes informing the patient about the error, thoroughly documenting it according to hospital policy, and notifying the physician. This comprehensive approach ensures transparency, patient safety, and adherence to institutional guidelines.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. An antibiotic medication that has a side effect of nausea when taken without food:
Nausea is a common side effect of many medications, including antibiotics, when taken on an empty stomach. While this side effect may cause discomfort, it is generally not a contraindication to medication administration. Patients can often manage this side effect by taking the medication with food or as advised by their healthcare provider.
B. Administering medications to a client under 4 months of age:
While administering medications to very young children requires special considerations and dosing adjustments, it is not inherently a contraindication. The key is to ensure that the medications are appropriate for the age and weight of the infant, and are prescribed and dosed correctly.
C. An antihypertensive medication given for high-blood pressure that causes orthostatic hypotension:
Orthostatic hypotension is a known side effect of some antihypertensive medications. While this side effect needs to be managed carefully, it does not represent a contraindication to the medication. Adjusting the dose or changing medications may be required to manage this side effect.
D. A medication with a Blackbox warning that the drug causes tendonitis and the patient has a history of tendonitis:
A Black Box warning is the strictest warning put in the labelling of a prescription drug by the FDA. It indicates that the drug has significant risk of serious or life-threatening adverse effects. If a medication with a Black Box warning indicates a risk of tendonitis and the patient has a history of tendonitis, this represents a contraindication, as the drug could exacerbate or trigger the condition, posing a serious risk to the patient.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A) Report the incident immediately to your supervisor upon noticing: Reporting the incident is an important step, but it should come after assessing the client's condition. Immediate assessment of the client's vital signs and overall status takes precedence to address any potential immediate health impacts due to the medication error.
B) Gather reversal agents to administer to the client: Gathering reversal agents is a critical step if the medication administered poses an immediate risk and reversal is necessary. However, this action should follow an initial assessment of the client's condition to determine if reversal is needed.
C) Notify the client's provider immediately while present with the client: Notifying the provider is essential to receive guidance on how to manage the medication error. Nonetheless, the first priority should be to assess the client's condition to provide accurate information to the provider.
D) Assess the client's vital signs: The initial action should be to assess the client’s vital signs and overall condition to determine any immediate effects of the incorrect medication. This assessment helps in identifying if the client is experiencing any adverse reactions or complications, which will guide subsequent actions such as notifying the provider and administering reversal agents if needed.
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