Medication Safety Quiz

Study Notes

Medication Errors: Causes and Prevention

Common daily obstructions contributing to medication errors include stress, noise, multitasking, and medication names that sound alike.
Orders from different sources are not considered a direct cause of errors.

ASHP Common Causes of Medication Errors

Drug product nomenclature, improper transcription, and inappropriate abbreviations contribute to medication errors.
Bar code usage is known to reduce medication errors and is not a common cause of errors.

Warfarin (Coumadin) Interactions

Warfarin can interact with aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), increasing the bleeding risk.

Reporting Drug Errors

Drug errors can be reported through MedWatch, a program by the FDA for reporting drug safety issues and adverse events.

Medication Errors and Allergies

Medication errors often involve allergic reactions, multiple medications, and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs.
Approximately 50% of Americans aged 55 and older take prescription drugs, leading to an increased risk of drug-drug interactions.

High-Alert IV Medications

Insulin, heparin, and potassium chloride (KCl) are classified as high-alert medications by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP).
Penicillin is not listed among high-alert IV medications by ISMP.

Medication Checking Protocol

Technicians should check medications three times during the filling process to ensure accuracy and safety.

Adverse Drug Reactions (ADR)

ADR stands for adverse drug reaction, highlighting negative effects caused by medication use.

Workplace Distractions

Telephones ringing are unavoidable workplace distractions that can lead to medication errors.
Employee conversations and text message alerts can also be distracting during the prescription filling process.

Labeling Improvements to Reduce Errors

Drug companies are encouraged to implement labeling changes such as tall-man lettering, color coding, and boldface lettering to reduce misinterpretation.

Description

Test your knowledge on medication safety and error prevention with this quiz. Explore the common factors that contribute to medication errors in pharmacy settings. Identify best practices to enhance safety and reduce the risk of errors.