The nurse was very busy and unfamiliar with a new medication, but administered it anyway. Later the nurse looked up the medication. How would the nurse manager evaluate this behavior?
1. An error did occur because the nurse could have administered the medication via the incorrect route.
2. This was acceptable as long as the nurse looked up the action and side effects of the drug at some point.
3. The nurse manager was partially at fault because the nursing unit was understaffed and the nurse was too busy.
4. An error could have occurred because the nurse was unfamiliar with the medication.
Correct Answer: 4
Rationale 1: An error could have occurred, but not necessarily because of the route of administration.
Rationale 2: Nurses should never administer a medication unless they are familiar with its uses and side effects; an error could have occurred because the nurse was unfamiliar with the medication.
Rationale 3: There is no information in the question to indicate that the nursing unit was understaffed; therefore the nursing manager is not partially at fault.
Rationale 4: An error did not occur, but could have because the nurse was not familiar with the medication.
Global Rationale: An error did not occur, but could have because the nurse was not familiar with the medication. An error could have occurred, but not necessarily because of the route of administration. Nurses should never administer a medication unless they are familiar with its uses and side effects; an error could have occurred because the nurse was unfamiliar with the medication. There is no information in the question to indicate that the nursing unit was understaffed; therefore the nursing manager is not partially at fault.
You might also like to view...
A patient's collection of a 24-hour urine for creatinine clearance measurement reveals that the patient has a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of 43 mL/min/1.73 m2
Based upon this GFR, the nurse interprets that the patient is at what stage of chronic kidney disease? A) Stage 1 B) Stage 2 C) Stage 3 D) Stage 4
A nurse is doing preoperative teaching for an African American man before he has abdominal surgery. What topic should be included in the teaching?
A) the possibility of developing a keloid over the healed incision B) the increased risk of developing an infection in the incision C) his racial characteristics that will slow healing D) cultural influences on his response to surgery
Which evaluation principle enhances the skills, knowledge, and attitudes of both professionals and nonprofessionals?
A) Allow for flexibility B) Build capacity C) Create a participatory process D) Use multiple approaches
A patient with a seizure disorder asks the nurse why bright spots are always seen before experiencing a seizure. What is the nurse's best response?
a. "Some people experience a strange sensation called an aura before each seizure." b. "This is an unusual occurrence. I will notify your prescriber right away." c. "Bright spots before a seizure could indicate pressure in your brain from a tumor." d. "After the seizure do you feel confused, lethargic, and unable to respond to people?"