Would this be considered a med error?

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you have an order for Adderall 275mg, on had you have Adderall 100mg capsules, how many capsules would you give? If you do the math it comes out to 3 capsules.

Wouldn't the extra amount of medication be consider a med error ? are you essentially prescribing by giving 3 capsules with the extra amount ? also wouldn't you call the provider to clarify ?

Thanks

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical/Float Pool/Stepdown.

You wouldn't give three 100mg capsules, you would give what's called a med equivalent that you hopefully have access to that would be capsules of different strengths that add up to 275mg, like two 100mg's and a 75mg capsule...It would be a med error if three 100mg tablets were given because, as you know, this is not the dosage ordered.

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275 mg vs. 300 mg

So yes, i would consider it a med error despite whatever way anyone would like to look at it :) I wouldn't call it prescribing. Prescribing is totally different. I would call the pharmacy first (each facility may differ) to see if they can provide me with a 75 mg or 275 mg OR call the doctor to notify that you only have 100 mg tabs. I hope this was a just a hypothetical question and did not reach the patient.

Sent from my iPhone

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Thanks for the response. It was a test question that I was clarifying with a classmate and they were unsure as well. :)

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
you have an order for Adderall 275mg, on had you have Adderall 100mg capsules, how many capsules would you give? If you do the math it comes out to 3 capsules.

Wouldn't the extra amount of medication be consider a med error ? are you essentially prescribing by giving 3 capsules with the extra amount ? also wouldn't you call the provider to clarify ?

Thanks

Unlike tablets, which possibly could be split. Capsules can only be given whole. Where did this question come from? To answer the question, you would give 2 100mg capsules, but that wouldn't be a complete dose.

If you are given more medication than prescribed or less than prescribed you're giving medication without a med order which is against the nurse practice act.

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Specializes in Prior military RN/current ICU RN..

You do not give 300mg if the order is for 275mg. If there is no way to add up to 275mg I would call the MD who would change the order. Takes about 3 minutes to solve.

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If the order is clear for 275 then you do not call the physician to clarify. If you can't split one tablet to equal that then you need to ask the pharmacist what forms are available.

Yes, three tablets is a med error because that is not what the physician ordered.

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I'm not sure what is more concerning here; the fact that there is no correct answer to choose from, or the fact that Adderall does not come in capsule form, AND a dose of 275mg is enough to kill an elephant. 40mg is the max recommended dose, folks. What the heck is going on at this school? They should absolutely be giving realistic test questions.

http://www.txvendordrug.com/downloads/criteria/add_adhd_meds.pdf

Adderall (Amphetamine, Dextroamphetamine Mixed Salts) Drug Information: Indications, Dosage and How Supplied - Prescribing Information at RxList

So the answer SHOULD be "hold the med and call prescriber to fix the order."

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Specializes in Pediatric.
I'm not sure what is more concerning here; the fact that there is no correct answer to choose from, or the fact that Adderall does not come in capsule form, AND a dose of 275mg is enough to kill an elephant. 40mg is the max recommended dose, folks. What the heck is going on at this school? They should absolutely be giving realistic test questions.

http://www.txvendordrug.com/downloads/criteria/add_adhd_meds.pdf

Adderall (Amphetamine, Dextroamphetamine Mixed Salts) Drug Information: Indications, Dosage and How Supplied - Prescribing Information at RxList

So the answer SHOULD be "hold the med and call prescriber to fix the order."

That's the first thing I thought too. And all our test questions involved drugs like Lisinopril, Lasix, Diogoxin... Maybe some Antibiotics... Don't remember questions about Adderall... Lol

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Specializes in Pediatric.

My answer would've been call the doctor and ask why he's trying to kill the patient... Lol

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Specializes in Oncology.

Yep it would be a med error if given as such. Call pharmacy and get them to send you a patient specific dose ;)

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Specializes in CMSRN.
My answer would've been call the doctor and ask why he's trying to kill the patient... Lol

Ha! That was so similar to my first thought!! 😂 I immediately wondered why that would even be a question and if one of the answers was "call the doctor about the dose, given that it's outside of safe levels"

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