Drug Errors and Prevention

Every question here, with the answer

1. A nurse realizes that a medication was administered to the wrong client. The client is currently stable. Which action best reflects ethical nursing practice described in this section?

   1. Monitor the client until the end of the shift before deciding whether to report the error.
   2. Ask another nurse to assess the client without explaining that a medication error occurred.
   3. Tell the charge nurse and provider promptly, state that a mistake occurred, and ask how to solve the problem.
   4. Document the medication as given correctly because the client has no symptoms.

   Answer: Tell the charge nurse and provider promptly, state that a mistake occurred, and ask how to solve the problem.

   The section emphasizes integrity, honesty, and accountability after a medication error. Promptly bringing the error to the charge nurse and provider allows a solution to be found more quickly and may prevent a bad outcome.

2. A competent client refuses a prescribed medication after the nurse provides teaching. Which nursing actions are consistent with autonomy and the ANA Code of Ethics? Select all that apply.

   1. Support the client throughout the decision-making and treatment process.
   2. Respect the client’s decision after accurate and complete information has been provided.
   3. Attempt to persuade the client until they agree to take the medication.
   4. Tell the client they must take the medication because the provider ordered it.
   5. Explain the medication, including benefits and risks, in language the client can understand.

   Answer: Support the client throughout the decision-making and treatment process., Respect the client’s decision after accurate and complete information has been provided., Explain the medication, including benefits and risks, in language the client can understand.

   Autonomy means the client has the right to make informed, voluntary health care decisions, including refusal of a drug. The nurse may educate and support the client but should not coerce or pressure the client to accept treatment.

3. A nurse is preparing to administer a prescribed medication but assessment findings suggest the medication is not safe for the client at this time. What is the best action by the nurse?

   1. Administer the medication because it has already been ordered.
   2. Ask the client whether they want to take the medication anyway.
   3. Give the medication and reassess the client later.
   4. Withhold the medication and notify the provider about the assessment findings.

   Answer: Withhold the medication and notify the provider about the assessment findings.

   The ANA Code of Ethics example for drug administration states that the nurse has accountability and responsibility to act when a medication appears unsafe. Withholding the medication and notifying the provider protects the client from potential harm.

4. The nurse is reviewing events reported on a unit. Which events are medication errors according to the examples in this section? Select all that apply.

   1. A medication is administered to the wrong client.
   2. A client develops nausea after a correctly prescribed, dispensed, and administered medication.
   3. A client receives an extra dose of a medication.
   4. An extended-release tablet is crushed before administration.
   5. A client receives a medication despite a known allergen.

   Answer: A medication is administered to the wrong client., A client receives an extra dose of a medication., An extended-release tablet is crushed before administration., A client receives a medication despite a known allergen.

   The section lists extra dose, wrong client, known allergen, and crushing an extended-release tablet as medication errors. Nausea after a correctly used medication may be an adverse drug reaction rather than a medication error.

5. A medication is administered to the wrong client, resulting in severe temporary harm. What institutional response is most consistent with this section?

   1. Wait to see whether the client recovers before reporting the event.
   2. Focus the investigation primarily on punishing the individual nurse.
   3. Report only to the client’s family because the event has already occurred.
   4. Report the event immediately so a root cause analysis can begin.

   Answer: Report the event immediately so a root cause analysis can begin.

   The section identifies wrong-client medication administration resulting in death or severe injury as a sentinel event. Sentinel events should be reported immediately so root cause analysis can identify underlying factors and help prevent recurrence.

6. A client develops itching and a rash after receiving a medication at a normally used treatment dose, and no medication error is identified. Which interpretations or actions align with this section? Select all that apply.

   1. Report the adverse drug reaction through the available reporting mechanism.
   2. Classify the event as a medication error because all harmful medication events are errors.
   3. Recognize this as a possible adverse drug reaction.
   4. Recognize that a mild allergic reaction can cause itching and rash.
   5. Assume reporting is unnecessary unless the reaction is life-threatening.

   Answer: Report the adverse drug reaction through the available reporting mechanism., Recognize this as a possible adverse drug reaction., Recognize that a mild allergic reaction can cause itching and rash.

   The section defines adverse drug reactions as harmful, unintended reactions at normally used doses and notes that mild allergic reactions can cause itching and rash. It also states that nurses should report adverse drug reactions; these reactions affect safety but are not necessarily medication errors.