Which of the following statements correctly identifies factors that contribute to medication errors?
1. A nurse who observes the five rights will prevent all medication errors from occurring.
2. Nurses are always liable when a medication error occurs.
3. Handwritten orders are more frequently associated with medication errors than are typed orders.
4. An incorrect dose (based on weight) is ordered, dispensed, and administered to a patient. The administering nurse and ordering clinician would be the only parties held accountable.
Correct Answer: 3
Rationale: Handwritten orders can be illegible, leading to higher medication error rates. Although the nurse is a major player in medication safety, there are instances when medication errors occur that do not involve the nurse, such as when patients take medications at home. Observing the five rights is essential to avoiding medication errors, but will not prevent all medication errors from occurring. The clinician ordering the medication, the nurse administering the medication, and the pharmacist dispensing the medication would be held accountable.
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