Strategies to prevent medication errors Flashcards
(41 cards)
What is the primary goal of medication error prevention?
To ensure patient safety and improve health outcomes.
True or False: Medication errors can occur at any stage of the medication process.
True
Fill in the blank: The five rights of medication administration are the right patient, right drug, right dose, right route, and right _____.
time
What is one strategy to prevent medication errors during patient handoff?
Use standardized communication tools such as SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation).
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is NOT one of the five rights of medication administration? A) Right patient B) Right time C) Right documentation D) Right allergy
D) Right allergy
What should a nurse do if they are unsure about a medication order?
Clarify the order with the prescribing physician before administration.
True or False: It is acceptable to administer medication based on verbal orders without confirmation.
False
What is the purpose of medication reconciliation?
To ensure accuracy of patient medication lists and prevent errors during transitions of care.
Fill in the blank: In nursing pharmacology, the acronym ____ refers to the process of verifying patient medications upon admission, transfer, and discharge.
MAR (Medication Administration Record)
Multiple Choice: Which of the following actions can help prevent look-alike/sound-alike medication errors? A) Storing similar medications together B) Using tall man lettering C) Ignoring manufacturer labels D) Rushing through medication administration
B) Using tall man lettering
What is a common cause of medication errors in nursing?
Poor communication among healthcare team members.
True or False: Double-checking high-alert medications is an unnecessary step.
False
Fill in the blank: A medication error that occurs due to a misunderstanding of a drug’s dosage is called a ____ error.
dosing
What role does technology play in preventing medication errors?
Technology such as electronic health records (EHRs) and barcoding can help reduce errors.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is an example of a high-alert medication? A) Acetaminophen B) Insulin C) Amoxicillin D) Ibuprofen
B) Insulin
What should be documented after medication administration?
The drug given, dose, route, time, and any patient responses.
True or False: Nurses should rely solely on their memory for medication dosages.
False
What is the significance of patient education in medication error prevention?
Educated patients can recognize and report potential medication errors.
Fill in the blank: The use of ____ can help identify potential drug interactions and allergies before medication administration.
clinical decision support systems
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is a best practice for medication storage? A) Storing medications in a cluttered area B) Keeping high-alert medications in a separate location C) Mixing expired medications with current medications D) Storing all medications at room temperature
B) Keeping high-alert medications in a separate location
What does the acronym CPOE stand for?
Computerized Physician Order Entry
True or False: Nurses can administer medication without verifying the patient’s identity.
False
What is a key strategy for preventing errors when administering intravenous medications?
Use infusion pumps and follow protocols for dosage calculations.
Fill in the blank: The process of ensuring that medications are correctly prescribed, dispensed, and administered is called _____.
medication management
