Question

You are the RN in charge in a nursing home. When admitting an elderly patient, which strategy is the best one to prevent medication errors?

a) Ask the patient to manage their own medications
b) Dispense all medications in a single cup at the same time
c) Verify and document all medications upon admission
d) Assume that the patient's family is responsible for medication management

Answer 1

c) Verify and document all medications upon admission

The best strategy to prevent medication errors when admitting an elderly patient in a nursing home is to verify and document all medications upon admission.

Step-by-step explanation:

The best strategy to prevent medication errors when admitting an elderly patient in a nursing home is option c) Verify and document all medications upon admission.

This strategy involves thoroughly checking and recording all medications that the patient is currently taking. It helps in ensuring that the patient's medication list is accurate and up to date, reducing the risk of medication errors. By verifying and documenting the medications, the healthcare team can identify any potential drug interactions, allergies, or contraindications, and take necessary precautions.

For example, if a patient is admitted with medication allergies that are not properly documented, they may be prescribed a medication that can cause an allergic reaction. By verifying and documenting all medications upon admission, this type of error can be prevented.