Fundamentals of Nursing: The Art and Science of Person-Centered Care Tenth, North American Edition - Leading, Managing, and Delegating Related

Review Fundamentals of Nursing: The Art and Science of Person-Centered Care Tenth, North American Edition - Leading, Managing, and Delegating related questions and content

A nurse erroneously administered two tablets of acetaminophen totaling 650 mg to their patient. When reporting this to the nurse manager, the nurse states, 'there are two tablets in a package labeled '325 mg, acetaminophen.' The prescription reads 'administer 325 mg of acetaminophen;' therefore, I administered what was in the package.' Based on a philosophy of just culture, what should happen next?

  • A. The nurse should be found at fault for not clarifying the order.
  • B. The package labeling should be reviewed with the pharmacy.
  • C. The nurse should be disciplined.
  • D. No follow-up is needed as the medication is over the counter.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: A just culture is committed to accountability and safety. Nurses are encouraged to disclose clinical errors and potential error situations without the fear of punitive actions, allowing others to learn from this experience. Health care workers within the organization discuss concerns and challenges related to patient care, turning them into opportunities for improvement. Reviewing the package labeling with the pharmacy addresses the root cause of the error, which is unclear labeling, rather than solely blaming the nurse.