Tell us about a time when you had to deal with a medication error or adverse event. How did you handle it?

I recall a situation where I had to deal with a medication error during my time as an Orthopedic Nurse. It was a busy day on the unit, and I was responsible for administering medications to my patients. Unfortunately, I made an error and gave the wrong medication to a patient. As soon as I realized my mistake, I immediately informed the patient's doctor and the charge nurse. We prioritized the patient's safety and quickly took appropriate steps to rectify the situation. We closely monitored the patient for any adverse effects and provided necessary interventions. It was a valuable learning experience for me, and I took it as an opportunity to improve my medication administration skills, double-checking each medication and verifying patient information before administration.

During my experience as an Orthopedic Nurse, I encountered a medication error that required immediate attention. One day, while administering medications to my patients, I inadvertently administered an incorrect dosage to a patient. As soon as I realized the error, I immediately informed the patient, their family, and the attending physician. We collaborated to assess the patient's condition, closely monitoring their vital signs and observation. I promptly reported the incident to the charge nurse and completed a thorough incident report, documenting all the details and steps taken to rectify the error. The interdisciplinary team worked together to mitigate any potential harm to the patient. I also took the initiative to review the hospital's policies and procedures regarding medication administration, ensuring I avoided similar errors in the future. It was a valuable lesson that reinforced the importance of double-checking medications, verifying patient information, and maintaining open communication with the healthcare team.

The solid answer provides more details about the medication error incident, including the steps taken to rectify the error, communication with the patient and healthcare team, and the importance of documentation. However, it could further emphasize the candidate's problem-solving and critical thinking abilities.

During my time as an Orthopedic Nurse, I encountered a medication error that required prompt action and critical thinking. It was a busy day in the hospital, and I was responsible for administering medications to my patients. I noticed that a patient's medication order seemed incorrect, and upon further investigation, I discovered that there had been a mix-up in the medication reconciliation process. Without hesitation, I immediately contacted the pharmacy and the prescriber to clarify the order. In the meantime, I closely monitored the patient's vital signs to ensure their safety. Once the correct order was obtained, I thoroughly explained the situation to the patient and their family, alleviating any concerns they had. I took this opportunity to conduct a root cause analysis, identifying areas for improvement in the medication reconciliation process. I presented my findings to the hospital's quality improvement committee and collaborated with the team to implement changes that would prevent similar errors in the future. This experience reinforced my dedication to patient safety and my ability to respond effectively in high-pressure situations.

The exceptional answer demonstrates the candidate's problem-solving skills and critical thinking abilities by proactively identifying and resolving a medication error. It also highlights their strong communication with the patient, family, and healthcare team, as well as their commitment to continuous improvement in patient care. The candidate showcases their ability to take initiative and contribute to the hospital's quality improvement efforts.