Question 1

The nurse is beginning medication reconciliation for a newly admitted client. What should the nurse include in this list? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

Medication reconciliation should include all medications the client is taking, whether they are prescription, over-the-counter, or alternative therapies. This includes occasional use medications like ibuprofen (A), supplements like powdered vitamin C (B), alternative therapies like essential oils (C), and prescription medications for chronic conditions like osteoporosis (E). Fortified foods, such as milk with vitamin D (D), are not typically considered in medication reconciliation unless the client is taking it as a specific supplement for a medical condition under a healthcare provider's advice.

Question 2

A new nurse on the orthopedic floor makes a medication error. Which statements by the nurse manager foster a safe environment in which nurses will report medication errors? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A new nurse on the orthopedic floor...

Question 3

A nurse is administering medications to a client. The client states, "I've never taken that yellow pill before." What should the nurse do first?

Accepted Answer

The first step should always be to verify the order and double-check the medication label to ensure the correct medication is being administered. This aligns with medication administration safety protocols, which prioritize verifying the right patient, medication, dose, route, and time before administration.

Question 4

A community health nurse is preparing a teaching plan regarding medications and their potential adverse effects for a new parent class. The nurse should encourage parents to do which of the following? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A community health nurse is preparing a...

Question 5

The nurse has been hired to work in the risk management office of a hospital. What situations would the nurse expect to be included in this job? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

Working in risk management involves identifying, investigating, and recommending changes to mitigate potential risks in healthcare. The nurse would be expected to participate in the investigation of incidents such as a sentinel medication event (A), use the computer to track data for trending and analysis (B), work with staff nurses to identify work flow problems that could lead to errors (C), and participate in committees that recommend changes to policies and procedures (E). However, meeting with the nurse executive to identify nurses who are prone to medication errors (D) would not be a part of the nurse's role in risk management.

Question 6

The nurse is preparing a teaching plan for an older client who is taking multiple medications. Which principles should the nurse keep in mind during the planning phase? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

It is important for older clients taking multiple medications to have all their prescriptions filled at the same pharmacy to prevent potential drug interactions. Keeping a list of all medications can also prevent potential drug interactions and make it easy for the client to share their medication information with healthcare providers. Older adults are more likely to take multiple medications, which increases the risk of medication errors. It is important for the client to be aware of each prescribed medication, the dose, and possible side effects to prevent medication errors. While polypharmacy is a common issue for older clients, it is not unique to them and not the only cause of medication errors.

Question 7

The nursing supervisor tells a nurse that the medication error the nurse made yesterday has been determined to be a sentinel event. What should the nurse expect to occur? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

When a medication error is determined to be a sentinel event, it triggers an immediate investigation, interventions to prevent the error from happening again will be quickly implemented, and a root-cause analysis will be conducted to determine the underlying causes of the error. The nurse's employment may or may not be terminated depending on the severity of the error and the nurse's past performance. The nurse's personal malpractice insurance company may be notified depending on the circumstances of the error. Therefore, options A and B are not necessarily correct.

Question 8

The nurse makes a medication error, but the client is not harmed. The client's family asks the nurse manager what is considered a medication error. How should the nurse manager respond? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

Medication errors can occur in various forms, including not following the healthcare provider's orders, giving the wrong medication, not administering medication at the prescribed time, and giving the incorrect dose. Reporting to the pharmacy that a medication has been given is not considered a medication error but rather a part of medication management and communication processes.

Question 9

A nurse on the medical-surgical unit is caring for several very ill clients. One client says, "I was supposed to get my medications an hour ago." The nurse recognizes that medication errors can have what impact? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

Medication errors can indeed extend a client's length of hospital stay due to potential complications or the need for additional treatment. They can also lead to expensive legal costs for the facility if the client or their family decides to sue for malpractice. The facility's reputation can be damaged as news of the error spreads, potentially leading to a loss of trust from the public and future clients. Lastly, medication errors are a significant cause of preventable deaths during hospitalizations, highlighting the critical importance of accurate medication administration. Option D is incorrect because while medication errors can be physically devastating to the client, they typically do not directly physically affect the nurse.

Question 10

The risk management department is using a root-cause analysis to improve a nursing unit's medication administration accuracy. What questions will be used to develop this tool? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

These questions focus on identifying the types of errors, understanding the current state of medication administration accuracy, gathering insights from nurses on prevention strategies, and evaluating the impact of implemented changes. Ranking nurses by the number of errors (C) does not contribute to a constructive root-cause analysis aimed at improving processes and could create a punitive atmosphere.

Quiz 7: Medication Errors and Risk Reduction