Question

a nurse administer IV to pregnant women (20 years) with a spinal solution instead of antibiotic by mistake (medication error), the patient had cardiac arrest right after the administration while they could save the baby by direct c section, the patient past away, the nurse has been charged with Manslaughter for a Drug Error.

After reflecting on the content and reviewing the information in this module, discuss how you, as a nurse, will balance the ethical obligations you have to the patient for safe medication administration with the pressures and policies of healthcare institutions and your nursing workload. Develop a plan on how you will prevent yourself from becoming lax and using shortcuts in the medication administration process.

Answer 1

Nurses can balance the ethical obligations we have to the patient for safe medication administration with the pressures and policies of healthcare institutions along with our nursing workload.

Even though nurses are quite busy handling multiple patients, nurses should always take a breath of second when performing medication to avoid medication errors keeping in mind one of the major causes for medication errors is distraction. Nurses should focus on the work, what she/he is doing presently.

Medication errors can occur at many steps in patient care, from the point of ordering the medication to the time when the patient is administered the drug. When the nurse is in any of that step she should be careful, follow all the policies and protocol of hospital then she will be able to avoid any medication error. She should not be negligent, forgetful or in hurry. Finally following rights of medication administration, double check before giving any medication is a much.Just following the neccessary steps can balanced the work or avoid the mistakes.

Plan on how nurses will prevent themselves from becoming lax and using shortcuts in the medication administration process.

Ensure nurses follows all the rights of medication administration.

Avoid distraction, Distortions, Illegible writing which are the causes of medication error.

Follow proper medication reconciliation procedures when transferring the patient.

Double check before administration of drugs.

Remain alert for high-risk medications

Place a zero in front of the decimal point.

Document everything.

Follow institution’s medication administration policies, regulations, and guidelines.

Use a drug guide available at all times.