Basic Medication Safety

Question 1

If there is a known allergy, the healthcare provider must document:

A. Only Trade name of the substance
B. Only Generic name of the substance
C. Generic & Trade name of the substance; reaction type; and severity of the allergic reaction; when was the reaction; how was it treated, if the patient received the medication since.
D. Trade name; reaction type; severity; and medication(s) given

Answer 1

C. Generic & Trade name of the substance; reaction type; and severity of the allergic reaction; when was the reaction; how was it treated, if the patient received the medication since.

Question 2

Strategies that may be used to reduce the risk of ERROR when using High Alert Medications include:

A. Employing independent double-checks
B. Limiting access to High Alert Medication
C. Using Auxiliary labels and automated alerts
D. All of the answers are correct

Answer 2

D. All of the answers are correct

Question 3

High Alert Medications are drugs that:

A. Bears a heightened risk of causing patient harm when used in error.
B. Have to be checked for patient allergy before giving
C. Have increased likelihood of causing an ADR.
D. Have a broad therapeutic index.

Answer 3

A. Bears a heightened risk of causing patient harm when used in error.

Question 4

At the beginning of morning shift, the primary nurse discovered that her colleague from night shift hung an Insulin IV infusion for the WRONG patient. What is the best action that the day nurse should take:

A. Immediately stop the IV- infusion, check the patient’s blood sugar, notify the physician and charge nurse, and initiate a Safety Reporting System (SRS) report/OVA.
B. Immediately notify the nurse manager for appropriate disciplinary actions.
C. Immediately call your colleague on her mobile to clarify the situation and notify the physician.
D. Immediately stop the infusion, notify the physician, and discuss with the Quality Management Department whether there is a need to fill out a Safety Reporting Incident (SRS) report/OVA or not.

Answer 4

A. Immediately stop the IV- infusion, check the patient’s blood sugar, notify the physician and charge nurse, and initiate a Safety Reporting System (SRS) report/OVA.

Question 5

What is WRONG with the following medication prescription: “Aspirin 81.0 mg orally QD”?

A. Use of error-prone abbreviation (QD) only.
B. Use of Aspirin instead of ASA.
C. Use of a High Alert Medication.
D. Use of error-prone abbreviation and dose designation (QD and trailing 0).

Answer 5

D. Use of error-prone abbreviation and dose designation (QD and trailing 0)