Question

If a medication error occurs, what should a nurse include in the incident report?

a) The name of the patient
b) The patient's room number
c) The time and date of the error
d) The nurse's personal opinion

Answer 1

In an incident report for a medication error, a nurse should include the patient's name, room number, and the time and date of the error, while omitting personal opinions.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a medication error occurs, it is crucial for the safety of the patient and the integrity of the healthcare system that a nurse completes an incident report. The report should include factual and objective information such as the name of the patient, the patient's room number, and the time and date of the error. The nurse's personal opinion does not belong in the incident report. Including the name of the patient ensures that the incident is accurately associated with the correct individual. The patient's room number provides a location context which could be relevant in an investigation, and noting the time and date of the error is critical in establishing a timeline and understanding the circumstances under which the error occurred.