Explain test question, please

[Todd SPN]

Was taking a sample test the other day and ran across a question that I thought might be "faulty." I might be wrong, so I thought I would throw it out to the more learned. It went something like this:

Dr writes script for a particular drug for his hopitalized pt. Script is noted and transcribed. Nurse gives pt med for 4 days. On fifth day an audit catches that the drug was to be given for only 3 days and that the person transcribing failed to note that fact. Who is responsible for the drug error?

Answer: Nurse giving the med. Nurse should have checked what was written on Kardex against MAR.

What the heck is a Kardex? If I am giving a med, should I be double checking another source or can I take the MAR to be gospel? If the MAR is incorrect and because of that I incorrectly medicate someone, is it my fault?

[EastCoast]

barefootlady,

i'm guessing that you mean the original nurse who took off the order? if so , that's what i think too. throw in the pharmacy and unit secretary just to make it even.

[Brownms46]

Originally posted by Todd SPN

No thanks! I will still have learning to do after licensing, and I don't think this place would be a very good teacher.

Good for you, and very smart!

[NICU_Nurse, BSN, RN]

I agree! You don't want to work somewhere that shows such obvious emphasis on the wrong point.

This issue is why I love critical care. The way I see it, if *I'M* the last one with my hands on it, ultimately, it is my responsibility. Luckily, because of the nature of my unit, this works out well. I do empathize with others who are forced to depend on co-workers for accuracy like we've discussed here. I wouldn't do it now, and before I'd even CONSIDER a job like that they'd have to do some mighty reassurance that I would not be held personally responsible for someone else's mistake, bad judgement, or carelessness. Though, truly, I just don't see how they could do that.