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Difficulty: MediumAccident, Error, and Injury Prevention

A practical nurse (PN) realizes they have just administered the wrong oral medication to a client. Arrange the following actions in the correct priority order the PN should perform them to ensure client safety.

  1. 1Assess the client's vital signs and physiological status.
  2. 2Notify the healthcare provider and the charge nurse.
  3. 3Implement any new prescriptions or interventions ordered by the healthcare provider.
  4. 4Document the medication administered and the client's response in the health record.
  5. 5Complete an institutional incident or variance report.

Answer

The correct sequence is: Assess the client, notify the provider, implement new orders, document in the chart, and complete the incident report.
In the event of a medication error, the nursing process dictates that assessment is always the first action to ensure client safety. Following assessment, the nurse must communicate the findings to the provider to receive further orders. Once the client is stabilized through new interventions, the nurse completes the legal documentation in the health record. The final step is the administrative task of filing an incident report.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Assess the client's vital signs and physiological status.
The PN determines the client's baseline condition immediately following the error.
Client safety is the paramount concern. Assessment must always precede communication.
2
Notify the healthcare provider and the charge nurse.
The provider is made aware of the error and the client's current status.
The provider needs this information to determine if any counteractive measures are necessary.
3
Implement any new prescriptions or interventions ordered by the healthcare provider.
The client receives necessary monitoring or treatments.
Prompt execution of medical orders minimizes the potential harm from the medication error.
4
Document the medication administered and the client's response in the health record.
An accurate, legal record of the event is established in the client's chart.
Factual documentation of care provided is a legal nursing responsibility.
5
Complete an institutional incident or variance report.
The facility receives data for quality improvement and risk management.
Incident reports help facilities identify systemic issues, but they do not go in the client's chart and are the lowest clinical priority.

Key Concept

Prioritization of Care Post-Medication Error
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Topics

Accident, Error, and Injury Prevention

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