Question

A registered nurse interprets a scribbled medication order by the attending physician as 25 mg. The nurse administers 25 mg of the medication to a client, and then discovers that the dose was incorrectly interpreted and should have been 15 mg. Who would ultimately be responsible for the error?

a. Attending physician
b. Assisting resident
c. Pharmacist
d. Nurse

Answer 1

The nurse is responsible for the medication error in the described scenario. Nurses must clarify any uncertain medication orders to prevent errors. Ensuring accurate dosage is critical as mistakes can lead to serious consequences.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the scenario where a registered nurse interprets a scribbled medication order as 25 mg but later discovers the correct dose should have been 15 mg, the responsibility for the error falls on the nurse. While the attending physician wrote the order, and it may have been unclear, it is the nurse's professional duty to clarify any ambiguity before administering medication. This is critical as the administration of medication is a significant aspect of patient care, and errors can have serious consequences.

It is essential in healthcare settings for all medical and pharmaceutical personnel to communicate effectively and verify orders to prevent mistakes. If there is ever any doubt about a medication order, it is incumbent upon the nurse to seek clarification from the physician or the pharmacist to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the patient.

Providing proper dosage is crucial since miscalculating medication dosage can result in ineffective treatment, harm, or fatality. Therefore, nurses must be meticulous with conversions and dosage calculations, always double-checking their work and confirming unclear orders