Dear Nurses

COMMON CAUSES OF MEDICATION ERRORS

When a patient is admitted to a healthcare facility,
information such as allergies, past medical history,
height, weight and medications taken, are all recorded.

This type of information is very important, as it will help
the doctor when prescribing medications. It will also be
of use to the pharmacist with providing correct drug dosages.

Regardless of where a nurse works, medication administration
is done.The nurse who gives drugs of any kind, should take time,
to ensure that everything is done correctly.

Learn more: Nursing fundamentals

Helpful information for the clinical nurse

Clinical judgement

Here are some of the ways in which medication
errors may occur:
-Misreading MD orders. If the nurse is uncertain
about an order , it is best to communicate with the
doctor or pharmacist.
- Poor communication of information, for example,
when a patient is transferred from one unit to
another.
- Improper dilution of medication ( always check
the manufacturer's instructions for proper dilution).
- Drug incompatibility: An example - Dilantin
can only be mixed with Normal Saline.
- Confusing one drug with another, as some
drugs have similar names.

COMMON CAUSES OF MEDICATION ERRORS

When a patient is admitted to a healthcare facility,
information such as allergies, past medical history,
height, weight and medications taken, are all recorded.

This type of information is very important, as it will help
the doctor when prescribing medications. It will also be
of use to the pharmacist with providing correct drug dosages.

Regardless of where a nurse works, medication administration
is done.The nurse who gives drugs of any kind, should take time,
to ensure that everything is done correctly.

Learn more: Nursing fundamentals

Helpful information for the clinical nurse

Here are some of the ways in which errors may occur:
- Misreading MD orders. If the nurse is uncertain about
an order , it is best to communicate with the doctor or
pharmacist.
- Poor communication of information, for example
when a patient is transferred from one unit to another
- Improper dilution of medication ( always check
the manufacturer's instructions for proper dilution).
- Drug incompatibility : an example - Dilantin is mixed with
Normal Saline.
- Confusing one drug with another, as some drugs have similar
names.
- Distraction, like having a conversation while administering
medications .
- Forgetting to document medications when given.

Clinical judgement

THE CLINICAL SETTING STEP BY STEP

Updated 12/24

Dear nurses,

The Clinical Setting Step by Step is no longer available.
New information is provided below.

Regardless of where a nurse works, doing good communication
skills, assessment tools and sound clinical judgment are all part
of a days work. Learn more: Here

Learn more about : Avoiding medication errors

Medical abbreviations and

Safe medication administration

Over morning coffee

Common causes of medication errors

The nurse above is about to make a medication error.
This is very poor judgement on her part.

Here are some helpful pointers for good medication administration:
- Follow MD orders

- Remember the five or more rights
- DO NOT USE COLOR CODING AS YOUR ONLY GUIDELINE.
Remember, many pills may have the same color, but that does not
mean they are of equal strength.
- If you are a new nurse and you are uncertain, consult with a more
experienced nurse to help you out.

- Always follow your Institution's policies and procedures

Learn more about: Communication skills

BLOOD TRANSFUSION REACTION/ MEDICATION ERRORS

Updated 2/25

Possible signs of blood transfusion reaction:

Anxiety, chills, flushing, itching, shortness of breath
and chest pain.

A blood transfusion may be fatal. It is important
to make every attempt to check for any prior history
of blood transfusion reaction.

Helpful hint: Discuss with the patient what kind of
reaction is possible and how to call for help. Always
follow your Institution's policies and procedures /MD
orders.Learn more about : PACU

Common causes of medication errors

Learn more about: MRI

PHARMACOLOGY FOR NURSES IN THE CLINICAL SETTING

Updated 1/26 Dearnurses.net is no longer available.

Dear nurses,

Learn more about : Avoiding medication errors

Medical abbreviations and

Safe medication administration

Over morning coffee

Common causes of medication errors

The nurse above is about to make a medication error.
This is very poor judgement on her part.

Here are some helpful pointers for good medication administration:
- Follow MD orders

- Remember the five or more rights
- DO NOT USE COLOR CODING AS YOUR ONLY GUIDELINE.
Remember, many pills may have the same color, but that does not
mean they are of equal strength.
- If you are a new nurse and you are uncertain, consult with a more
experienced nurse to help you out.

- Always follow your Institution's policies and procedures

Learn more about: Communication skills

PATIENT ASSESSMENT

Dearnurses.com is no longer available.

New topics with links have been added below.

Patient assessment is a very important tool.
The patient having chest pain, would have

an assessment done by the nurse.

A description of the pain, as well as pain
scales assessment ( 1-10) is usually done.

Documentation of intervention is also
necessary.

Below are more assessment links:
Neurological assessment
Abdominal assessment

Stroke assessment

The Nursing Process

Using decimals

Safe medication administration

Pharmacology for nurses

Learn more about:

Common causes of medication errors

Avoiding medication errors in an emergency situation

An intravenous infusion may be started in a peripheral

site or a central line site.

Learn more by clicking on the link:
IV assessment

AVOIDING MEDICATION ERRORS

In the image above, Sara is new and afraid to "look stupid".
She is going to administer Potassium Chloride IM instead
of IVPB ( IV piggy back).

A medication error can happen at anytime. Every attempt
should be taken by the nurse, to avoid it happening. if you
are uncertain, try to ask someone else or the pharmacist.
Learn more : Common causes of medication errors

Scenario 1: Lynn is a new RN. Her preceptor did not

do a good job explaining the correct way to do an
assessment. Lynn is not aware of the mistake she
is about to make.

Learn more : Was an assessment done?

POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION - SUICIDE IDEATION

Updated 6/25

In the image above, a young mother has been
experiencing postpartum depression. She explains
to her doctor how she feels.

Some women experience postpartum depression

after child birth, this may manifest as feeling sad,
tired and experiencing loss of appetite.

Suicide ideation may also occur. It is important

to seek medical help.

Causes include: hormonal changes, lack of rest,

family / financial issues and more.

It is suggested that eating a healthy diet, regular
exercise, psychotherapy and medications such as
antidepressants can help.

Suicide ideation

This condition may affect people of all different
age groups. It is important to seek medical help.

The placenta is an organ which develops during pregnancy.

It supplies the fetus with nourishment and oxygen via the

umbilical cord which is attached to one side. The other side

of the placenta is attached to the uterine wall. The placenta

is a very vascular organ and contains an artery and a vein.

The uterus, ovaries , fallopian tubes, cervix and vagina

are all part of the reproductive system. The uterus is a

hollow muscular organ which is located in the pelvis.

Learn more by reading the image above.

Learn more about: The role of hormones

Common causes of medication errors

Learn more about: The Nursing Process

PRETERM LABOR

Updated 5/26

Dear nurses,

Dear nurses.net is no longer available.
For more updated information , please
click on the link: Preterm labor

The uterus, ovaries , fallopian tubes, cervix and vagina

are all part of the reproductive system. The uterus is a

hollow muscular organ which is located in the pelvis.

Learn more by reading the image above.

The placenta is an organ which develops during pregnancy.

It supplies the fetus with nourishment and oxygen via the

umbilical cord which is attached to one side. The other side

of the placenta is attached to the uterine wall. The placenta

is a very vascular organ and contains an artery and a vein.

Learn more about: The role of hormones

In the image above, a young mother has been
experiencing postpartum depression. She explains
to her doctor how she feels.

Some women experience postpartum depression

after child birth, this may manifest as feeling sad,
tired and experiencing loss of appetite.

Suicide ideation may also occur. It is important

to seek medical help.

Causes include: hormonal changes, lack of rest,

family / financial issues and more.

It is suggested that eating a healthy diet, regular
exercise, psychotherapy and medications such as
antidepressants can help.

Suicide ideation

This condition may affect people of all different
age groups. It is important to seek medical help.

Enjoy watching the video:
Stress and its impact on the body

Common causes of medication errors

Learn more about: The Nursing Process

NURSE - ARE THESE GOOD CLINICAL SKILLS?

Updated 8/25

Dear nurses.net is no longer available.

New images and topics have been added below.

The nurse above is about to make a medication error.
This is very poor judgement on her part.

Here are some helpful pointers for good medication administration:
- Follow MD orders

- Remember the five or more rights
- DO NOT USE COLOR CODING AS YOUR ONLY GUIDELINE.
Remember, many pills may have the same color, but that does not
mean they are of equal strength.
- If you are a new nurse and you are uncertain, consult with a more
experienced nurse to help you out.

- Always follow your Institution's policies and procedures

Over morning coffee

Abbreviations in the Clinical Setting

The image above, is a reflection of what a clinical
nurse, should not do. Pay attention:

- you gave the wrong medication

- you put a used syringe and needle, in an already
full needle holder

- you left the IV pump running after discontinuing
the medication.

Use good clinical judgement!

Common causes of medication errors

The Nursing Process

CORRECT MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION

Updated 4 /26

Dear Nurses,

Dearnurses.net is no longer available.

For more updated information ,

please click on the links below:

Correct medication administration

Learn more about: Helpful information for the nurse

In the image above, Lynn is a new graduate who
is full of expectation. She arrives early on her new
unit. But her hopes are shattered when her preceptor,

suggested that she is too busy to do an orientation.

Learn more, by clicking on the link:Critical thinking

Learn more : Common causes of medication errors

What is the MAR?

The MAR is the medication administration record.
It is a complete record which is kept on every patient.

It includes the patient's name, age, diagnosis, height,
weight and allergies. All medications ordered by the
doctor and a place to sign when medications are given.

Five rights:

There are 5 basic rights for medication administration.
Over time, more rights have been recognized. This may
vary from 7 or more. Always follow your Institution's
policies and procedures, in order to avoid error.

Scenario 1: Lynn is a new RN. Her preceptor did
not do a good job explaining the correct way to do
an assessment. Lynn is not aware of the mistake
she is about to make.

Learn more about : Was an assessment done?