Author Question: The nurse is working hard to prevent medication errors. Which intervention would assist the nurse in ... (Read 91 times)

itsmyluck · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

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

1. Be aware of stressful situations and distractions during medication administration.
2. Assess the client for expected outcomes and determine if any adverse side effects have occurred.
3. Ask the client about food or medication allergies, including OTC medications and herbal supplements.
4. Avoid using abbreviations that could be misunderstood.

Question 2

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

1. An error did occur because the nurse could have administered the medication via the incorrect route.
2. This was acceptable as long as the nurse looked up the action and side effects of the drug at some point.
3. The nurse manager was partially at fault because the nursing unit was understaffed and the nurse was too busy.
4. An error could have occurred because the nurse was unfamiliar with the medication.

HandsomeMarc · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 3
Rationale 1: This is part of the implementation step of the nursing process.
Rationale 2: This part of the evaluation step of the nursing process.
Rationale 3: This is part of the assessment step of the nursing process.
Rationale 4: This is part of the planning step of the nursing process.
Global Rationale: Asking the client about food or medication allergies, including OTC medications and herbal supplements, is part of the assessment step of the nursing process. The other options illustrate other steps of the nursing process, not assessment.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 4
Rationale 1: An error could have occurred, but not necessarily because of the route of administration.
Rationale 2: Nurses should never administer a medication unless they are familiar with its uses and side effects; an error could have occurred because the nurse was unfamiliar with the medication.
Rationale 3: There is no information in the question to indicate that the nursing unit was understaffed; therefore the nursing manager is not partially at fault.
Rationale 4: An error did not occur, but could have because the nurse was not familiar with the medication.
Global Rationale: An error did not occur, but could have because the nurse was not familiar with the medication. An error could have occurred, but not necessarily because of the route of administration. Nurses should never administer a medication unless they are familiar with its uses and side effects; an error could have occurred because the nurse was unfamiliar with the medication. There is no information in the question to indicate that the nursing unit was understaffed; therefore the nursing manager is not partially at fault.