During a busy night shift, a new nurse administered an unfamiliar medication without checking it in a drug handbook. Later that day, the patient had a severe reaction because he has renal problems, which was a contraindication to that drug. The nurse may be liable for which of these?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Negligence is the failure to act in a reasonable and prudent manner or failure of the nurse to give the care that a reasonably prudent (cautious) nurse would render or use under similar circumstances. Nurses are expected to assess patients thoroughly before medications are given, and to be familiar with medications they are administering (see Box 4-2). In this case, nursing negligence applies to nurses, not medical negligence. Nonmaleficence is defined as the duty to do no harm; autonomy is defined as the right to make one's own decisions, or self-determination.

During a Busy Night Shift, a New Nurse Administered an Unfamiliar