Illinois Nursing Home Administrators (NHA) Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT a required step to take following a medication error?

1. Report it to the licensed prescriber

2. Report it to the pharmacist

3. Make a note in the resident's care plan

4. Complete an incident report

The correct answer is: Make a note in the resident's care plan

The correct response indicates that making a note in the resident's care plan is not typically required following a medication error. Instead, the focus after a medication error usually centers on more immediate actions that ensure the safety of the resident and effective communication with relevant healthcare providers. Reporting the medication error to the licensed prescriber is crucial as they need to be aware of any potential effects the error may have on the resident’s health and can provide necessary medical guidance. Involving the pharmacist is also important since they can assist in mitigating any adverse effects of the error and may help rectify the situation. Completing an incident report is a necessary step in many facilities’ policies as it provides a formal record of the error, contributing to quality assurance processes and helping to prevent future occurrences. While documenting errors in resident care plans is good practice for ongoing care management, it is not always mandated immediately following an error. The primary concern is addressing the potential implications of the error and ensuring proper communication and documentation through incident reporting and consultation with healthcare professionals.