Chapter 6 Medication Errors

Question 1

Medication Errors

Answer 1

• Preventable
• Common cause of adverse health care outcomes
• Effects can range from no significant effect to directly causing disability or death

Question 2

Common Classes of Medications Involved in Serious Errors

Answer 2

• Antibiotics
• Anticoagulants
• Antidiabetic drugs (Particularly insulin)
• Antieoplastic (anticancer) drugs
• Cardiovascular drugs
• Central nervous system-active drugs (e.g., opiates, anesthetics)
• Vaccines

Question 3

Minimize verbal or telephone orders by:

Answer 3

• Repeat to prescriber
• Spell drug name aloud
• Speak slowly and clearly

Question 4

List:

Answer 4

Indication next to each order

Question 5

Avoid:

Answer 5

Medical shorthand, including abbreviations and acronyms

Question 6

Never:

Answer 6

assume anything about items not specified in a drug order (i.e., route)

Question 7

Do not hesitate to:

Answer 7

hesitate to question a medication order for ay reason when in doubt

Question 8

Do not try to:

Answer 8

decipher illegibly written orders; contact prescriber for clarification

Question 9

NEVER:

Answer 9

Use “trailing zeros” with medication orders

Question 10

Do not use:

Answer 10

1.0 mg; use 1 mg

Question 11

Misread doses

Answer 11

1.0 mg could be misread as 10 mg, resulting in a tenfold dose increase

Question 12

ALWAYS

Answer 12

use a “leading zero” for decimal dosages

Question 13

Do not use:

Answer 13

.25 mg; use 0.25 mg

Question 14

Misread doses:

Answer 14

.25 mg; may be misread as 25 mg

Question 15

Always listen to:

Answer 15

and honor any concerns expressed by patients regarding medications

Question 16

Check patients

Answer 16

allergies and identification