Podcast
Questions and Answers
What should be avoided when writing prescriptions to reduce errors?
What should be avoided when writing prescriptions to reduce errors?
What should be included in patient-specific data to reduce prescribing errors?
What should be included in patient-specific data to reduce prescribing errors?
Why should 'QD' or 'OD' not be used to represent the word 'daily'?
Why should 'QD' or 'OD' not be used to represent the word 'daily'?
What is the correct way to write 0.5 g when prescribing?
What is the correct way to write 0.5 g when prescribing?
Signup and view all the answers
Why should 'µg' be avoided when representing microgram?
Why should 'µg' be avoided when representing microgram?
Signup and view all the answers
What should be done when writing drug names to reduce errors?
What should be done when writing drug names to reduce errors?
Signup and view all the answers
What should be done when writing decimals to reduce errors?
What should be done when writing decimals to reduce errors?
Signup and view all the answers
Why should 'look-alike' or 'sound-alike' drug names be avoided?
Why should 'look-alike' or 'sound-alike' drug names be avoided?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a key responsibility of nurses in administration of medication?
What is a key responsibility of nurses in administration of medication?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the main purpose of the '5 Rs' in medication administration?
What is the main purpose of the '5 Rs' in medication administration?
Signup and view all the answers
What should nurses do to confirm a patient's identity before administering medication?
What should nurses do to confirm a patient's identity before administering medication?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a common cause of medication administration errors?
What is a common cause of medication administration errors?
Signup and view all the answers
Why is it important to check the frequency of the ordered medication?
Why is it important to check the frequency of the ordered medication?
Signup and view all the answers
What should nurses do to reduce medication administration errors?
What should nurses do to reduce medication administration errors?
Signup and view all the answers
Why is it important to confirm the appropriateness of the medication dose?
Why is it important to confirm the appropriateness of the medication dose?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a key aspect of documenting medication administration?
What is a key aspect of documenting medication administration?
Signup and view all the answers
What information should be included when taking a thorough medication history?
What information should be included when taking a thorough medication history?
Signup and view all the answers
What type of medications require extra attention during dosage calculations?
What type of medications require extra attention during dosage calculations?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the purpose of a medication reconciliation form?
What is the purpose of a medication reconciliation form?
Signup and view all the answers
Why is it important to use patient-specific information during dosage calculations?
Why is it important to use patient-specific information during dosage calculations?
Signup and view all the answers
What should be avoided when giving verbal orders?
What should be avoided when giving verbal orders?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the benefit of using standardized concentrations for all IV medications?
What is the benefit of using standardized concentrations for all IV medications?
Signup and view all the answers
What type of medications are examples of high alert medications?
What type of medications are examples of high alert medications?
Signup and view all the answers
Why is it important to enquire about recently ceased medications?
Why is it important to enquire about recently ceased medications?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the purpose of dispensing a unit of use?
What is the purpose of dispensing a unit of use?
Signup and view all the answers
What should be included in a medication history, apart from prescription medications?
What should be included in a medication history, apart from prescription medications?
Signup and view all the answers
Which patient population is more susceptible to medication errors due to communication barriers?
Which patient population is more susceptible to medication errors due to communication barriers?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a common staff factor that contributes to medication errors?
What is a common staff factor that contributes to medication errors?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a design factor that can contribute to medication errors in the workplace?
What is a design factor that can contribute to medication errors in the workplace?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a way to make medication use safer?
What is a way to make medication use safer?
Signup and view all the answers
Why is it important to learn and practice collecting complete medication histories?
Why is it important to learn and practice collecting complete medication histories?
Signup and view all the answers
What should be remembered when prescribing and administering medications?
What should be remembered when prescribing and administering medications?
Signup and view all the answers
Why is it important to develop checking habits and report errors?
Why is it important to develop checking habits and report errors?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the overall goal of using medications wisely and correctly?
What is the overall goal of using medications wisely and correctly?
Signup and view all the answers
Who is typically responsible for administering medication?
Who is typically responsible for administering medication?
Signup and view all the answers
What is an essential step in the medication prescription process?
What is an essential step in the medication prescription process?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a common source of error in prescribing?
What is a common source of error in prescribing?
Signup and view all the answers
What is an example of a mathematical error in prescribing?
What is an example of a mathematical error in prescribing?
Signup and view all the answers
What should a physician consider when choosing a medication?
What should a physician consider when choosing a medication?
Signup and view all the answers
What is an important aspect of documenting a medication prescription?
What is an important aspect of documenting a medication prescription?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a potential error in the medication administration process?
What is a potential error in the medication administration process?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a benefit of clear communication in the medication prescription process?
What is a benefit of clear communication in the medication prescription process?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Medication Use Process
- Medication prescription is a physician-related process involving choosing an appropriate medication, selecting the administration route, dose, time, and regimen, and documenting the plan.
Prescribing Errors
- Sources of error in prescribing include:
- Inadequate knowledge about drug indications and contraindications
- Not considering individual patient factors (e.g., allergies, pregnancy, comorbidities, other medications)
- Illegible handwriting
- Mathematical errors when calculating dosage
- Incomplete or ambiguous documentation
- Inadequate communication
- Incorrect data entry when using computerized prescribing
Strategies to Reduce Prescribing Errors
- Write complete and clear information, including patient-specific data and medication details
- Avoid using abbreviations and symbols
- Use computers for prescribing
- Be alert to "look-alike" or "sound-alike" drug names
- Learn and practice thorough medication history taking
- Know the high-alert medications
Medication Administration
- Administration involves obtaining the medication in a ready-to-use form, checking for allergies, and giving the right medication to the right patient, in the right dose, via the right route, at the right time.
- Documentation is essential for administration.
Administration Errors
- Errors can occur due to:
- Wrong patient, route, time, dose, or drug
- Omission or failure to administer
- Inadequate documentation
Strategies to Reduce Administration Errors
- Follow the 7 Rs (right patient, medication, route, time, dose, and documentation, and checking for allergies)
- Be familiar with the institution's policies and procedures
- Use preprinted and standardized labels and infusion devices
- Be aware of patients who cannot communicate well
Factors Contributing to Medication Errors
- Staff factors include:
- Inexperience, rushing, and fatigue
- Lack of checking and double checking habits
- Poor teamwork and communication
- Workplace design factors include:
- Absence of a safety culture
- Inadequate staff numbers
- Absence of memory aids for staff
Making Medication Use Safer
- Ways to make medication use safer include:
- Using generic names where appropriate
- Tailoring prescribing for individual patients
- Learning and practicing thorough medication history taking
- Knowing high-risk medications and taking precautions
- Being familiar with the medications you prescribe
- Using memory aids and communicating clearly
- Developing checking habits and reporting errors
- Encouraging patients to be actively involved
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Related Documents
Description
Learn about the steps involved in the medication use process, including prescribing, preparing, dispensing, administration, and monitoring in an institutional setting.