The nurse mistakenly gives the patient with malignant hypertension the wrong dose of antihypertensive medication, and the patient complains of several hours of dizziness. Which action by the nurse is most appropriate?

Make a detailed account of this incident in the patient’s chart and complete and submit a separate incident report. Proper risk management for a healthcare organization includes the proper documentation of incidents and accidents, such as medication errors. When an incident occurs, it is appropriate to complete and submit an accurate incident report, according to hospital guidelines. This is not a substitute, however, for a detailed accounting of this incident in the patient’s chart. Of note, the incident report should not be included in the patient’s chart and references should not be made to it in the patient’s record. Therefore, the nurse documents the incident in the chart and completes a separate incident report. It is insufficient to only document the incident in the patient’s chart or submit an incident report.

The nurse mistakenly gives the patient with malignant hypertensio...

Category: Safety and Infection Control
Difficulty: 4

Topics: Communication & Documentation Cardiovascular Health Care Ethics, Law, and Policy Health Care Quality Medication and Blood Products Nursing Interventions

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