The nurse in the emergency department administers an adult dose of an antibiotic to a 3-month-old baby. As a result, the baby suffers permanent brain damage. What are the likely ramifications of this error?

Question

1. The reputation of the healthcare facility will suffer
2. The healthcare facility may pay high legal fees and a large settlement.
3. The morale of the staff will be adversely affected.
4. The nurse will lose the professional license to practice and can never practice again.
5. The healthcare facility will lose its accreditation and may be closed.

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 1,2,3
Rationale 1: If this error is made public, the reputation of the facility may suffer.
Rationale 2: If the family sues, the facility's legal fees and settlement conditions could be significant.
Rationale 3: An error of this nature may result in self-doubt and loss of morale.
Rationale 4: The nurse may or may not lose the license to practice, depending on the circumstance of the case.
Rationale 5: It is not likely the facility will be closed.
Global Rationale: If this error is made public, the reputation of the facility may suffer. If the family sues, the facility's legal fees and settlement conditions could be significant. An error of this nature may result in self-doubt and loss of morale. The nurse may or may not lose the license to practice, depending on the circumstance of the case. It is not likely the facility will be closed.