Question

develop a minimum of three nursing action that a nurse should take to prevent a medication error related to look- alike, sound alike medication. provide a rationale to support your response

Answer 1

1.Identify and make a list of problematic medications that are either look alike or sound alike discretely and make an awareness among other staff members,physicians,pharmacy staff etc regarding the same.Patients must be given proper health teaching and awareness if the medications prescribed to them is in the prepared list

Rationale: Helps to identify drugs that are look alike or sound alike.The list makes it easy to find out whether the prescribed drug has the above said problem.

2.Check both brand and generic names while administering the drugs and double check everytime with the order.Ask the physician to include the generic name in the prescription if possible.

Rationale: Crosschecking and double checking increases accuracy and prevents errors.

3.The nurse should check the indication of the medication with the patient's present condition before medication administration.consult with the physician if any discrepancy is found.

Rationale:Proper knowledge and critical thinking helps in prevention of errors.

4.Use verbal or telephone orders only in case of absolute necessity.if such orders are taken, verbal or telephone orders should be documented on the patient's record and read back, spelling the drug name and stating its indication.

Rationale: Helps to maintain credibility and prevent miscommunication.

5.Change the appearance of look alike medications in the storage area and request the pharmacy to do the same too.Different colours,letter styles or capital letters etc can be used to discriminate these drugs.proper awareness should be provided to all staff members if such labelling is being followed.

Rationale: Helps in easy identification and discrimination of look alike medications.