Question 1

The FDA has used the information reported to it on the specific types and incidences of medication errors to determine what factors can contribute to medication errors.What factors would be included on this list that relate directly to the client or her home caregiver?

Accepted Answer

Filling prescriptions at several pharmacies can contribute to medication errors because it increases the risk of drug interactions and miscommunication about medications being taken. This factor directly involves the client or their home caregiver's actions in managing medications.

Question 2

The nurse is preparing medications for a group of clients.Another nurse begins telling the nurse about her recent engagement.What is the best plan of action by the first nurse?

Accepted Answer

The best plan of action is to ensure patient safety by minimizing distractions during medication preparation. Telling the second nurse that the conversation is distracting and must cease while medications are being prepared prioritizes patient safety and maintains focus on the task at hand.

Question 3

The nurse in the Emergency Department administers an adult dose of an antibiotic to a 3- month-old baby.As a result, the baby suffers permanent brain damage.What is the surest and most significant effect of this error on the health care facility?

Accepted Answer

B

Question 4

The nurse was very busy, and unfamiliar with a new medication, but administered it anyway.Later the nurse looked up the medication.How does the nurse manager evaluate this behavior?

Accepted Answer

The nurse manager would evaluate this behavior as a potential error because administering a medication without being familiar with it could lead to mistakes, such as incorrect dosage or administration route.

Question 5

Drug administration is a multiple, complex process that involves more than person.The potential for a medication error can occur during any step in that process.Which of the following would not be involved in the process?

Accepted Answer

The nurse manager is typically not directly involved in the medication administration process, which primarily involves the client, pharmacist, and physician.

Question 6

The nurse recognizes that agency system checks are in place to decrease medication errors. Who commonly collaborates with the nurse on checking the accuracy of the medication prior to administration?

Accepted Answer

The pharmacist collaborates with the nurse to check the accuracy of the medication prior to administration, ensuring the right medication is given to the right patient at the right dose and time. Pharmacists have the expertise in medications and are a critical part of the healthcare team focused on patient safety and the prevention of medication errors.

Question 7

The nurse teaches a class to clients about how to prevent medication errors after they are discharged from the hospital.What is a priority intervention for the nurse to tell the clients?

Accepted Answer

Asking questions about drug safety and enlisting healthcare providers as partners in maintaining safe medication principles is a priority intervention for preventing medication errors. This approach encourages active participation in one's own healthcare and promotes understanding and adherence to medication regimens.

Question 8

The nurse assesses an adverse effect of a medication that has been administered.No medication error was committed.What is the best plan of action for the nurse at this time?

Accepted Answer

The best plan of action for the nurse is to report the adverse effect to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch website. MedWatch is the FDA's safety information and adverse event reporting program designed for healthcare professionals and consumers to report serious problems they suspect are associated with the drugs and medical devices they prescribe, dispense, or use.

Question 9

The nurse in the Emergency Department miscalculates, and administers the wrong dosage of an antibiotic to a 9-month-old baby.As a result, the baby suffers permanent brain damage.What describes the factor that most likely contributed to the error?

Accepted Answer

Human factors, such as fatigue, stress, or distractions, are common contributors to medication errors. In this scenario, the nurse's miscalculation could be attributed to such human factors, leading to the administration of the wrong dosage.

Question 10

It is common for clients to receive multiple prescriptions, sometimes for the same condition, that might have conflicting pharmacological actions.This problem is not unique to the elderly, but it is most often seen in that age group.What process is known as "keeping track" of a client's medications as he proceeds through the health care system?

Accepted Answer

Medication reconciliation is the process of creating the most accurate list possible of all medications a patient is taking — including drug name, dosage, frequency, and route — and comparing that list against the physician's admission, transfer, and/or discharge orders, with the goal of providing correct medications to the patient at all transition points within the hospital. This process helps to avoid medication errors and conflicts, especially in populations like the elderly who are more likely to be taking multiple medications.

Question 11

The nursing instructor teaches the student how medication errors can occur.What information will the nursing instructor include in the presentation? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nursing instructor teaches the student how...

Question 12

The FDA has used the information reported to them on the specific types and incidences of medication errors to determine what factors can contribute to medication errors.What factor would be included on this list?

Accepted Answer

Failure to account for client variables, such as age, weight, renal function, and concurrent medications, can significantly contribute to medication errors. This oversight can lead to inappropriate dosing, adverse drug interactions, and other harmful outcomes.

Question 13

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.Which of the following are potential responses by the nurse manager? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

A medication error can occur in various forms, including not following the physician's orders, not administering medication at the prescribed time, giving the wrong medication, or giving the incorrect dose of medication. Reporting to the pharmacy that a medication has been given (choice E) is not considered a medication error but rather a communication or procedural task.

Question 14

The nurse commits a medication error.The nurse documents the error in the client's record and completes the incident report.What does the nurse recognize as the primary reason for this action?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse commits a medication error.The nurse...

Question 15

The nurse administers an evening medication to the client in the morning.The medication did go to the correct client.What is the nurse's best course of action at this time?

Accepted Answer

The nurse must notify the physician about the error and complete an incident report. This is a medication error and must be reported.

Question 16

The nurse is working very hard to prevent medication errors.What intervention would assist the nurse in preventing most errors using the assessment step of the nursing process?

Accepted Answer

Asking the client about food or medication allergies, including over-the-counter (OTC) medications and herbal supplements, is a direct part of the assessment step in the nursing process. This action helps in identifying any potential allergies or interactions that could lead to medication errors.

Question 17

The nurse teaches a class to clients about how to prevent medication errors when in the hospital.What is a priority question for the nurse to ask the clients?

Accepted Answer

Knowing the names of all medications one takes is crucial for preventing medication errors. This knowledge allows patients to participate actively in their care, ask informed questions, and recognize potential mistakes.

Question 18

The nurse manager plans to teach the graduate nurse the reason why the nursing unit has policies and procedures related to the reporting of medication errors.What best describes the reason for policies and procedures?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse manager plans to teach the...

Question 19

The nurse is working very hard to prevent medication errors.What plan(s)will assist the nurse in preventing most errors? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse is working very hard to...

Question 20

The nurse is discharging a client from the hospital.What is a priority intervention for the nurse at this time?

Accepted Answer

The priority intervention when discharging a client from the hospital is to ensure they understand their medication regimen. This includes providing a complete list of medications and instructions on how to take any newly prescribed medications to ensure continuity of care and prevent medication errors.

Quiz 7: Medication Errors and Risk Reduction