Author Question: While passing noon meds, an RN notes that one of her patients did not receive his 0600 dose of ... (Read 107 times)

karlynnae · **on:** Jul 17, 2018

While passing noon meds, an RN notes that one of her patients did not receive his 0600 dose of antibiotic during the prior shift.

She calls the prior nurse to try to determine whether the medica-tion was given or not, then fills out an occurrence or care aberrance report and follows through as institutional policy indicates. What is the best explanation for why the RN who found the error took action? a. Because the prior nurse needed to know she made an error
b. Because she is accountable for not contributing to the error by ignoring it
c. To keep the patient from suing the hospital
d. To keep herself out of trouble

Question 2

An RN went to the charge nurse and reported that she inadvertently gave a patient who was NPO for surgery his otherwise normally scheduled PO medications. She subsequently followed up with the surgeon to report the error.

This nurse is exhibiting which of the following? a. Professional accountability
b. Poor judgment
c. Novice judgment
d. A tendency toward error

manuelcastillo · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 17, 2018

Answer to Question 1

B
The RN must act judiciously and prudently in the delivery of care. By not going to the supervisor when a mistake is made and failing to demonstrate accountability for contributing to the mistake, the RN risks not only harm to the patient but also potential legal and ethical consequences.

Answer to Question 2

A
Accountability is being answerable for the actions or interventions one performs as a nurse. Ac-countability also means taking responsibility for one's other actions and growth. Although indi-viduals are ultimately accountable to themselves, the RN is particularly accountable to the patient, society, and the profession.