A nurse discovers that the wrong medication has been administered to a patient. What is the priority action?

Correct answer: B. Assess the patient, then notify the prescriber and senior nurse promptly

  • A. Complete the medication record and wait for the next shift
  • B. Assess the patient, then notify the prescriber and senior nurse promptly
  • C. Remove the medication package from the medication room immediately
  • D. Ask the patient not to mention the incident to other staff

Explanation

The nurse first assesses the patient for actual or possible harm and promptly reports the error so treatment and monitoring can begin. Documentation and incident reporting are also required, but concealing or delaying the error is unsafe.

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About Routes and Safe Medication Administration

Safe medication administration covers oral, sublingual, buccal, topical, inhaled, enteral, intradermal, subcutaneous and intramuscular routes, including their absorption patterns and technique. It also includes medication rights, patient identification, documentation, allergy checks, injection site selection and prevention of errors, with route selection distinguished from dosage calculation.

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