A registered nurse interprets that a scribbled medication order reads 25 mg. The nurse administers 25 mg of the medication to a patient and then discovers that the dose was incorrectly interpreted and should have been 15 mg. Who is ultimately responsible for the error?

Nurse

Health care provider

Hospital

Pharmacist

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

A: The nurse is ultimately responsible for the error. Nurses are responsible for ensuring the correct administration of medications, which includes verifying the correct dosage. When a nurse administers medication, they must double-check the order, especially if it is unclear or illegible. In this case, the nurse misinterpreted the scribbled order and administered an incorrect dose, making them accountable for the error. Nurses are trained to seek clarification if there is any doubt about a medication order to prevent such mistakes.

B: The health care provider, while responsible for prescribing the medication, is not ultimately responsible for the administration error in this scenario. The provider’s role is to ensure that the prescription is clear and accurate. However, if the order is unclear, it is the nurse’s responsibility to seek clarification before administering the medication. The health care provider would be responsible if the error was due to a prescribing mistake, but in this case, the error occurred during the administration phase.

C: The hospital, as an institution, provides the environment and resources for patient care but is not directly responsible for individual medication administration errors. The hospital’s role includes ensuring that systems are in place for safe medication practices, such as proper training and protocols. However, the responsibility for the error lies with the individual who administered the medication incorrectly.

D: The pharmacist’s role is to dispense medications accurately and provide information about the medication. While pharmacists can catch potential errors in prescriptions, they are not responsible for the administration of the medication. In this case, the pharmacist would not be held accountable for the nurse’s misinterpretation and incorrect administration of the medication.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A: Debriding the wound is the next step for a black (necrotic) pressure ulcer. Removing the dead tissue is essential to promote healing and prevent infection.

B: Managing drainage is important for wound care but is not the immediate next step for a necrotic ulcer.

C: Documenting the wound is necessary but does not address the need for debridement.

D: Monitoring the wound is important, but active intervention (debridement) is required for a necrotic ulcer to promote healing.

A. Hyperkalemia B. Hyponatremia C. Hypervolemia D. Hypovolemia

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A: Hyperkalemia refers to high potassium levels, which can occur in ESKD but does not directly cause shortness of breath, swelling, or crackles in the lungs.

B: Hyponatremia refers to low sodium levels, which can occur in ESKD but does not directly cause the symptoms described.

C: Hypervolemia, or fluid overload, is the most likely cause of the client’s symptoms. ESKD can lead to fluid retention, causing shortness of breath, swelling, crackles in the lungs, and elevated blood pressure.

D: Hypovolemia refers to low blood volume, which would not cause the symptoms of fluid overload described in the client.

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A registered nurse interprets that a scribbled medication order reads 25 mg. The nurse administers 25 mg of the medication to a patient and then discovers that the dose was incorrectly interpreted and should have been 15 mg. Who is ultimately responsible for the error?

Nursing Test Bank

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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