A nurse is teaching a group of newly licensed nurses about the prevention of medication errors. Which of the following factors should the nurse identify as the most frequent cause of fatal medication errors?
Incorrect packaging, such as a topical medication packaged as an oral medication.
Delivery device problems, such as an infusion pump malfunction.
Name confusion between two medications with similar sounding names.
Incorrect labeling of a medication dispensed by the pharmacy.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale
Incorrect packaging, such as a topical medication packaged as an oral medication, can lead to medication errors. However, it is not the most frequent cause of fatal medication errors. Packaging errors are relatively rare and usually caught before administration.
Choice B rationale
Delivery device problems, such as an infusion pump malfunction, can cause medication errors. These errors can be serious but are not the most frequent cause of fatal medication errors. Device malfunctions are often detected and corrected by healthcare professionals.
Choice C rationale
Name confusion between two medications with similar sounding names is the most frequent cause of fatal medication errors. This type of error occurs when medications with similar names are confused, leading to the administration of the wrong drug. This can have serious and sometimes fatal consequences.
Choice D rationale
Incorrect labeling of a medication dispensed by the pharmacy can lead to medication errors. While labeling errors are a significant concern, they are not the most frequent cause of fatal medication errors. These errors are often identified and corrected before administration.
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Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
A white coating in the mouth can indicate oral thrush, a common side effect of inhaled corticosteroids like beclomethasone. This requires prompt treatment to prevent further complications.
Choice B rationale
Nausea is a less common side effect of beclomethasone and is not as urgent as oral thrush.
Choice C rationale
Myalgia (muscle pain) is a less common side effect and not as critical as oral thrush.
Choice D rationale
Headache is a common side effect but not as urgent as oral thrush.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
BNP is used to diagnose heart failure, not to monitor gentamicin’s adverse effects.
Choice B rationale
Creatinine levels should be monitored as gentamicin can cause nephrotoxicity, leading to impaired kidney function.
Choice C rationale
Amylase levels are not relevant for detecting gentamicin’s adverse effects.
Choice D rationale
ESR is used to detect inflammation, not specific to gentamicin’s adverse effects.