A patient reports that they avoid being around sick people, however, they have experienced repeated colds over the past several weeks.

A nurse should respond to the patient’s concern by providing which of the following teaching?

Choice A rationale
While ensuring that nurses demonstrate competency by passing a medication administration test is important, it is not the first step in developing a program to decrease medication administration errors. This strategy focuses on the individual skills of the nurses, but does not address the systemic issues that may have contributed to the errors.
Choice B rationale
Reviewing the circumstances leading up to each medication error is the first step in understanding why the errors occurred. This process allows the committee to identify patterns and common factors that contribute to errors. It is a crucial step in the development of effective strategies to prevent future errors.
Choice C rationale
Developing a quality improvement program for nurses involved in medication errors is a strategy that could be implemented after understanding the root causes of the errors. This approach ensures that the program addresses the specific issues that led to the errors.
Choice D rationale
Conducting an in-service training on medication administration for all nurses is a valuable strategy for preventing medication errors. However, it should be based on the findings from the review of the circumstances leading up to each error. Therefore, it is not the first strategy to consider.

Choice A rationale
The use of a Passy Muir speaking valve can be important for communication, but it is not the highest priority for discharge teaching.
Choice B rationale
Having the phone number of the healthcare provider to report complications is important, but it is not the highest priority. The patient needs to know how to prevent and recognize complications first.
Choice C rationale
While having emergency personal identification that the patient is unable to speak is important, it is not the highest priority. The patient’s immediate post-operative needs should be addressed first.
Choice D rationale
The ability to perform tracheostomy care is the highest priority for discharge teaching. This is a new and critical skill that the patient must learn to prevent complications, maintain the airway, and manage their own care at home.