Question

a nurse interprets that a handwritten physician's 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?

Answer 1

The responsibility for administering an incorrect medication dosage is shared among the healthcare team. Clear communication and verification are critical in preventing medication errors. Healthcare facilities have safety procedures to mitigate risks.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a nurse interprets a physician's medication order incorrectly, as in the case where 25 mg was administered instead of the intended 15 mg, it is considered a medication error.

Although the nurse administered the higher dose, the responsibility for the error is shared among all parties involved in the medication administration process.

This includes the prescribing physician, the nurse, and potentially other members of the healthcare team, such as pharmacists. It is critical to establish clear communication and verify the accuracy of medication orders to prevent such errors.

Hospitals and healthcare facilities often have systems in place, such as double-check procedures or electronic prescribing, to reduce the risk of errors.

It is always important for all medical and pharmaceutical personnel to exercise high levels of caution when dealing with dosage calculations, medication administration, and the ability to convert units, to ensure patient safety.