Lesson 5: Medication Errors

Question 1

Define medication errors.

Answer 1

Refer to any preventable event or incident that occurs during the medication management process, resulting in inappropriate medication use or patient harm.

Question 2

Medication errors can only happen before administering them. T/F?

Answer 2

False, errors can happen at various stages including prescribing, transcribing, dispensing, administering and monitoring medications.

Question 3

List 3 factors that can cause a medication error.

Answer 3

Communication breakdown, lack of knowledge or training, system failures, illegible handwriting, similar drug names and medication administration errors.

Question 4

List 3 efforts to help prevent medication errors.

Answer 4

Implementing safety protocols, using technology systems for medication management, improving communication among healthcare providers, enhancing medication education, training for healthcare professionals, promoting a culture of safety and openly reporting of any errors.

Question 5

How can a medical assistant help prevent medication errors?

Answer 5

Accurate documentation, patient identification, medication reconciliation, patient education, communication and collaboration.

Question 6

How to respond to a medication error?

Answer 6

Acknowledge and assess, notify supervisor or health provider, provide care and support, document and report, learn from the error.

Question 7

What is the aim of incident reporting?

Answer 7

Promote a culture of safety and continuous improvement within the healthcare facility.