The nursing instructor is evaluating the success of training provided to staff nurses on ways to reduce the incidence of pediatric medication errors. Which observations indicate that training has been effective?

Question

Select all that apply.
A) Staff nurses are double checking medication calculations.
B) Staff nurses are refusing to administer medications.
C) Staff nurses are using liquid preparations.
D) Staff nurses are asking the pharmacy to prepare the exact doses.
E) Staff nurses are asking each other to validate placement of decimal points.

Answer 1

Answer: A, C, E

Children are at a higher risk for medical error than other clients and also may be more vulnerable to harm from errors due to their immature physiology. Reasons for increased medical error among children include miscalculation of doses and amounts, and incorrect placement of the decimal point in calculations. Nurses who double check medication calculations, use liquid preparations, and ask another nurse to validate the placement of the decimal point are demonstrating that the training was effective. The nurses should not be refusing to provide medications to the pediatric client and should not expect the pharmacy to prepare the medications in exact doses.