Nokea
A nurse gives Dilantin intravenously with lactated Ringer's solution containing multivitamins. The drug precipitates and obstructs the only existing line. When the team leader informs the nurse that these drugs cannot be mixed, the nurse states, "Everyone just pushes the medicine slowly. No one checks for compatibility. There isn't even a compatibility chart on the unit." Which type of logical fallacy has influenced the nurse?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Appeal to common practice. The nurse's argument that "everyone just pushes the medicine slowly" and that "no one checks for compatibility" is based on the common practice in the unit rather than on scientific evidence or guidelines. This logical fallacy assumes that just because something is commonly done, it must be correct. In this case, the nurse is disregarding the importance of checking drug compatibility and following proper protocols.
Incorrect choices:
A: Ad hominem abusive - This choice involves attacking the person making the argument rather than addressing the argument itself, which is not evident in the scenario.
C: Appeal to emotion - This choice would involve using emotions to manipulate the audience rather than relying on logic or evidence, which is not the case in the scenario.
D: Appeal to tradition - This choice would involve arguing that something is right or good because it has been done that way for a long time, which is not explicitly stated in the scenario.