A nurse is serving on a continuous quality improvement (CQI) committee that has been assigned to develop a program to reduce the number of medication administration errors following a sentinel event at the facility. Which of the following strategies should the committee plan to initiate first?
Require staff nurses to demonstrate competency by passing a medication administration examination
Provide an in-service on medication administration to at the nurses
Develop a quality improvement program for nurses involved in medication administration errors
Renew the events lead up to each medication administration error
The Correct Answer is D
A. Requiring staff nurses to demonstrate competency by passing a medication administration examination: While competency assessments are essential, initiating this as the first strategy may not address the root causes of medication administration errors. It's important to first understand the specific factors contributing to errors by reviewing the events leading up to each error before implementing competency assessments. This allows for a targeted approach to addressing gaps in knowledge or skills related to medication administration.
B. Providing an in-service on medication administration to all nurses: While education and training are valuable components of error reduction strategies, providing an in-service as the first step may not address the underlying system issues contributing to medication errors. Education should complement other interventions aimed at improving the medication administration process, such as system redesign or standardization of practices.
C. Developing a quality improvement program for nurses involved in medication administration errors: Implementing a quality improvement program for nurses involved in errors is important for learning from mistakes and preventing recurrence. However, developing such a program should be informed by a thorough analysis of the events leading to errors. Without understanding the root causes, it may be challenging to develop effective improvement initiatives.
D. Reviewing the events leading up to each medication administration error: This strategy is the most appropriate initial step. Conducting a detailed review of each error allows the committee to identify patterns, common factors, and system issues contributing to medication errors. By understanding the specific circumstances surrounding each error, the committee can develop targeted interventions to address root causes and prevent future errors. This approach aligns with the principles of continuous quality improvement, focusing on data-driven analysis and proactive problem-solving.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["B","C","E"]
Explanation
A. Polyuria: Polyuria, or excessive urination, is not typically associated with cervical spinal cord injury. In fact, urinary retention or neurogenic bladder is more commonly observed due to disruption of bladder control. Clients with cervical spinal cord injury often experience bladder dysfunction, which can lead to urinary retention rather than polyuria.
B. Hypotension: Hypotension is a common complication of cervical spinal cord injury, particularly in cases involving injury above the level of T6. Damage to the sympathetic nervous system can result in neurogenic shock, characterized by vasodilation and bradycardia, leading to hypotension. Monitoring for signs of hypotension, such as decreased blood pressure and altered mental status, is essential for early intervention and prevention of complications.
C. Weakened gag reflex: Cervical spinal cord injury can impair the gag reflex due to disruption of the glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) and vagus nerve (CN X) function. This impairment can lead to difficulty swallowing, aspiration risk, and increased susceptibility to respiratory complications such as aspiration pneumonia. Therefore, monitoring the gag reflex and assessing for signs of dysphagia are crucial in clients with cervical spinal cord injury to prevent respiratory compromise and aspiration-related complications.
D. Hyperthermia: Hyperthermia is less commonly associated with cervical spinal cord injury. However, in some cases, autonomic dysreflexia—a potentially life-threatening condition—can occur, leading to increased body temperature among other symptoms. This is more common in injuries above the T6 level.
E. Absence of bowel sounds: Neurogenic bowel dysfunction, including the absence of bowel sounds, is a common complication of cervical spinal cord injury. Disruption of autonomic nervous system function can lead to decreased peristalsis and absent bowel sounds.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Take the medication with dairy products to increase absorption: Calcium carbonate antacids should not be taken with dairy products as they can reduce the absorption of calcium due to the formation of insoluble calcium salts. It's recommended to take calcium carbonate antacids between meals or with a light snack, but not with dairy products.
B. Decrease bulk in the diet to counteract the adverse effect of diarrhea: Calcium carbonate antacids can sometimes cause constipation rather than diarrhea. Increasing dietary fiber and fluid intake may help prevent constipation associated with the use of these antacids. Therefore, advising to decrease bulk in the diet is not appropriate.
C. Draw a glass of water after taking the medication: Calcium carbonate antacids should be taken with a full glass of water to ensure proper dissolution in the stomach and to prevent the risk of gastrointestinal irritation or obstruction. Water helps facilitate the dissolution and absorption of the medication, reducing the risk of adverse effects.
D. Reduce sodium intake: Calcium carbonate antacids may contain sodium, but reducing sodium intake is not a specific recommendation related to taking this medication. However, it's generally advisable to limit sodium intake for overall health, especially for individuals with conditions such as hypertension or heart failure.
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