You are a new nurse giving medications for a group of patients in a semi-private room. You approach the patient in your assigned bed and ask if he is Mr. Smith. He happily says yes and takes the pills you offer. A man comes in from the restroom, tells Jones to get out of his bed, and tells you he is Mr. Smith. What would have prevented this error?
A. Reading the patient's arm bracelet
B. Reading the name on the bed
C. Asking for a date of birth
D. Matching the height and weight of the patient to the record
Answer (2)
To prevent medication errors, healthcare providers should always verify patient identity by reading the patient's arm bracelet. This is the most reliable method for ensuring the nurse administers medication to the correct individual. Thus, the best answer to the question is option A: Reading the patient's arm bracelet.
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In this scenario, a medication error occurred because the identity of the patient was not properly verified. To prevent such errors, it is critical to use a reliable method of patient identification which can help ensure that the right person receives the correct medication.
Among the multiple-choice options provided:
Reading the patient's arm bracelet
This is the correct choice. A patient's arm bracelet typically contains vital identification information such as their name, date of birth, and possibly a unique identification number. By checking the bracelet, nurses can confirm they are interacting with the right patient. It's a standard procedure in many healthcare settings to verify patient identity through their arm bracelet before administering any treatment or medication.
Reading the name on the bed
While names might be displayed near a patient's bed, relying on this alone is not a foolproof method, as beds can be mislabeled or patients might change rooms. This method lacks personal confirmation, making it unreliable.
Asking for a date of birth
This method is also reliable when combined with another identifier. By asking for the patient's date of birth, nurses can double-check the information against medical records to confirm identity.
Matching the height and weight of the patient to the record
This method is less practical and accurate because patients with similar physical characteristics may still differ greatly. It is not a reliable primary method for identification.
In summary, the best practice is to incorporate multiple methods of identification, with a strong emphasis on reading the patient's arm bracelet to prevent such errors.
