A new nurse on the pediatric unit is very nervous about making a medication error. Which statements by a more experienced nurse are accurate?
1. "One of the main causes of medication errors is the human factor. So, just be sure you ask for help if you are not sure about a dosage calculation."
2. "If you are not sure you are reading an order correctly, always call the provider and ask. This will keep you from misinterpreting an order."
3. "Our facility has a list of drugs that have similar names that have contributed to medication errors in the past. You might want to take a look at those so you will be aware of them."
4. "You really don't have to look at the diagnostic lab work from yesterday. It has been charted in the nurse's notes."
5. "As long as two nurses take a phone order, it does not have to be written by the health care provider."
Correct Answer: 1,2,3
Rationale 1: It is important to double-check any calculations that the nurse may be unsure about with another nurse or the pharmacist.
Rationale 2: The nurse must always call the health care provider to confirm or clarify any orders that may be in question.
Rationale 3: Medications with similar names are a common cause for medication errors. If the facility has a list, it would be good for the new nurse to see what they are.
Rationale 4: Nurses should always review recent diagnostic lab work. The previous nurse could have misread the lab work.
Rationale 5: Orders must be in writing before any medication can be administered.
Global Rationale: It is important to double-check any calculations that the nurse may be unsure about with another nurse or the pharmacist. The nurse must always call the health care provider to confirm or clarify any orders that may be in question. Medications with similar names are a common cause for medication errors. If the facility has a list, it would be good for the new nurse to see what they are. Nurses should always review recent diagnostic lab work. The previous nurse could have misread the lab work. Orders must be in writing before any medication can be administered.
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