Adult Health Nursing First Chapter Quizlet Related

Review Adult Health Nursing First Chapter Quizlet related questions and content

A nurse administers the wrong medication to a patient and the patient is harmed. The physician who ordered the medication did not read the documentation that the patient was allergic to the drug. Which statement is true regarding liability for the administration of the wrong medication?

  • A. The nurse is not responsible, because the nurse was merely following the doctor's orders.
  • B. Only the nurse is responsible, because the nurse actually administered the medication.
  • C. Only the physician is responsible, because the physician actually ordered the drug.
  • D. Both the nurse and the physician are responsible for their respective actions.
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: In a situation where a nurse administers the wrong medication to a patient resulting in harm, both the nurse and the physician can be held liable for their respective roles in the error. The nurse is responsible for administering the incorrect medication, which is a violation of their duty to provide safe and appropriate care. However, the physician is also responsible because they failed to review the patient's documentation indicating the allergy to the medication before ordering it. As healthcare professionals, both the nurse and the physician have a duty of care to ensure patient safety, and in this case, both individuals failed in their responsibilities, leading to the harm caused to the patient. Therefore, both the nurse and the physician can be held accountable for the error.