Which describes a medication error?

Question

1. A preventable event caused by inappropriate medication use or patient harm while the medication is in the control of the healthcare professional, patient, or consumer
2. An unexpected side effect of a medication unannounced by the drugmanufacturer
3. A usual occurrence produced by medication administration by a healthcare professional
4. An unnecessary outcome of a medication by the patient

Answer 1

1

Rationale 1:A medication error is any preventable event that may cause or lead to inappropriate medication use or patient harm while the medication is in the control of the healthcare profession, patient, or consumer.
Rationale 2:Side effects are an unexpected occurrence from a medication. Drug manufacturers report side effects and adverse effects.
Rationale 3:A medication error is not a usual occurrence. It is preventable.
Rationale 4:Medication errors are not an unnecessary outcome but a preventable event.

Global Rationale: A medication error is defined as any preventable event that may cause or lead to inappropriate medication use or patient harm while the medication is in the control of the healthcare professional, patient, or consumer. Such events may be related to professional practice, healthcare products, procedures, and systems, including prescribing; order communication; product labeling, packaging, and nomenclature; compounding; dispensing; distribution; administration; education; monitoring; and use (NCC MERP, 2016). Side effects are an unexpected occurrence from a medication. Drug manufacturers report side effects and adverse effects. A medication error is not a usual occurrence; it is preventable. Medication errors are not an unnecessary outcome but a preventable event.