The nurse makes a medication error and a patient dies. In court, the attorney for the family of the deceased patient asks the nurse if she followed standards of care in administering the medication. How would the attorney phrase this question?
1. "Did you follow agency guidelines as in previous circumstances?"
2. "Did you follow the physician's orders and double-check them before administration?"
3. "Did you do the three checks and follow the five rights as taught in school?"
4. "Did you do what another nurse would have done under similar circumstances?"
Correct Answer: 4
Rationale: Standards of care refer to the actions that a reasonable and prudent nurse with equivalent preparation would do under similar circumstances. Standards of care do not refer to following physician orders. Standards of care do not refer to following agency guidelines. Standards of care do not refer to doing three checks or five rights.
You might also like to view...
Which intervention should be considered LAST in treating uncontrolled intracranial hypertension?
a. Sedatives c. Barbiturates b. Analgesics d. Hyperventilation
Which strategy in the plan of care for a mechanically ventilated critically ill patient has the highest priority to reduce the risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia?
A) Suction frequently. B) Provide mouth care. C) Turn and position. D) Administer antibiotics intravenously.
The nurse is caring for a woman who is pregnant with twins, each held in different amniotic sacs with their own placentas. The ultrasound reveals that one fetus is male and the other is female
The nurse explains to the client that this indicates the twins are: A) conjoined. B) identical. C) dizygotic. D) monozygotic.
The nurse plans a fall prevention program for a confused patient. Which task from the program is suitable for the nurse to delegate to nursing assistive personnel (NAP)?
a. Evaluating patient understanding of fall prevention plan b. Keeping the patient's bed in the low posi-tion at all times c. Assessing the patient's circulatory and respiratory status d. Instructing the patient's family about al-ternatives to restraints