Answer to Question 1
ANS: A
Computerized provider order entry (CPOE) allows orders to be directly communicated to the appropriate departmentdiet orders to dietary, medication orders to the pharmacy, laboratory orders to the laboratory. Elimination of an intermediary for order transcription decreases the potential for errors related to the ambiguity of handwritten orders and allows quicker responses by appropriate departments. Legibility and availability of computerized documentation improve provider communication. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) recommends CPOE as one of the safe practices for better health care. CPOE systems ensure legible orders and have the potential to reduce ordering and transcribing errors. Disadvantages of CPOE include workflow issues, provider resistance to new technology, and overdependence on technology
Answer to Question 2
ANS: C
IT can be used to increase patient safety. Errors are analyzed to develop strategies for prevention. Diagnostic test results are available faster to support treatment decisions and avoid redundancy in orders. When technology such as a bar-code medication administration (BCMA) system is used as part of the process of medication administration, fewer errors are made. After signing into the system or scanning his/her identification (ID) badge, the nurse electronically scans the bar codes of the patient ID, the medication administration record (MAR), and the drug to determine that the right patient is getting the right drug and dose at the right time. An alert signals a potential error, and it is the nurse's responsibility to verify all information before administration.