Question

1 What are the three safety checks to make when preparing a medication and when do you perform them.?

2.How can you be sure that the correct number of medications for patients who take large amounts at one time.?

3. Why were some abbreviations put on a do not use list.?

Answer 1

Answers

Q1: Three Safety checks while preparing medication

• Name of the person
• Strength and dosage
• Frequency against the:

1. Medical Order
2. Medication Administration Record
3. Medication Container

The three safety checks should perform:

• Before preparing the medication
• During the preparation of medication
• Before administering the medication to the patient.

Q2: The patient is receiving the correct number of medications who take large amounts at one time can be assured by:

• Compare the medication administration record for the doctor's order.
• Follow the six rights of medication administration- Right patient, right medication, right dose, right route, right time, and right documentation.
• The nurse should check the MAR for the name, dose, and route :

1. Before preparing the medication
2. During the preparation of medication
3. Before the administration of medication

• The nurse should each medication with its dosage, route of administration, and the time for the administration.
• After taking all medications, before administering to the patient check the MAR to confirm all medications are taken correctly.
• After administering the medications documentation should be done in the MAR.

Q3: Do Not Use List Abbreviations

Some abbreviations will cause a chance of getting misunderstanding which will lead to medication errors. These abbreviations will confuse not only the health care providers, but this will also make it difficult for the patients who are not familiar with these abbreviations will make it difficult to understand the discharge instructions and discharge medications with abbreviations.

Hence in 2004, The Joint Commission created the “Do Not Use” list to reduce misunderstanding and to prevent medication errors in the hospitals.

The official “Do Not Use” list includes:

Do Not Use List	Identified Problem	Correct Method
U, u (unit)	Mistaken for “0” (zero), “4” (four), or “cc”	Instead of it, Write "unit"
IU (International Unit)	Mistaken for IV (intravenous) or the number 10	Instead of it, Write "International Unit"
Q.D., QD, q.d., qd (daily) Q.O.D., QOD, q.o.d, qod (every other day)	Mistaken for each other Period: Q is mistaken for "I" and "O" mistaken for "I	Instead of it, Write "daily" and Write "every other day"
Trailing zero (X.0 mg) and Lack of leading zero (.X mg)	Missing of the decimal point.	Instead of it, Write X mg Write 0.X mg
MSO4 and MgSO4	Confusion will happen in the name of Morphine sulfate and Magnesium sulfate	Instead of this, Write "morphine sulfate" and Write "magnesium sulfate"