Question

In a situation where you calculate that the dose of antibiotics for a patient is twice the recommended amount, and the same dose was given 6 hours ago, what would you do?

a) Administer the prescribed dose as ordered.
b) Consult with a senior nurse or physician immediately.
c) Wait for the next scheduled dose to administer the correct amount.
d) Document the error but continue with the prescribed dose.

Answer 1

In the situation of an antibiotic dose being twice the recommended amount, consultation with a senior nurse or physician is immediately necessary to prevent potential harm to the patient due to toxicity or side effects.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the scenario where a calculated dosage of antibiotics for a patient is twice the recommended amount, and the same dose was administered 6 hours ago, the correct action would be to: b) Consult with a senior nurse or physician immediately. Administering a double dose of antibiotics can lead to significant toxicity and side effects, and proper dosage is crucial for minimizing risks while ensuring therapeutic effectiveness. As healthcare providers, one must always verify and ensure that the doses are accurate, and in case of any discrepancies or errors, consult with a senior medical staff member to correct the course of action and prevent potential harm to the patient. This is based on the principle that the optimum dosage of drugs such as antibiotics is essential to achieve clinical cure and minimize side effects, and adjustments may be needed based on factors such as a patient's mass, liver, or kidney function.