Question

NURSING

SITUATION # 1
The CRL patient located in cubicle 15 of the Emergency Room constantly complains of abdominal pain in the lower right quadrant. Mrs. Ramos is the nurse in charge of the patient. This goes to the doctor and notifies her that the patient is in a lot of pain. The doctor evaluates the patient and generates a medical order for Demerol 50 mg IM STAT. The nurse, who was very overburdened with tasks, proceeds to execute the order, but in haste she mistakenly takes the order from another patient and prepares Toradol 30 mg IV. Due to her busy shift, she goes to the patient, administers the medication without asking for the name or allergies, and leaves quickly. It should be noted that the nurse did not clean with alcohol before placing the serum on the patient. After 10 min, the patient complains that he cannot breathe and upon inquiring about his history, they realize that he is allergic to Aspirin (Toradol contains aspirin), so he is immediately managed to counteract the manifested allergic reaction. When verifying the file, they realize the negligence committed with the patient.

1. What error do you identify in the situation?
2. Which of the correct medication administrations were not carried out?
3. Which of the National Patient Safety Goals were not met?
4. What information does the nurse need to know before administering the ordered medication to the patient?
5. How would you have acted in this situation?
6. What ethical-legal repercussions could arise in this case?

Answer 1

ANSWER :

1. Medication error was identified in this situation.

Medication error : It is any preventable event that leads to inappropriate use of medication which harms patient.

2.In this situation :

• Correct medication administrations "Right patient" , "Right drug " , Right route " , were not carried out in this situation.
• Wrong medication with wrong dosage through wrong route (Toradol 30mg IV instead of Demerol 50 mg IM stat) was given to wrong person.

3.National safety goals not met :

• Improve accuracy of patient identification.
• Improve safety of using medications.

4.Information nurse should know before administering medication :

• Right patient
• Right drug
• Right dosage
• Right time
• Right route
• Right documentation