St Paper Complete Part 1 Of The Critical Thinking Scenario

1st Papercomplete Part 1 Of The Critical Thinking Scenario

Complete Part 1 of the Critical Thinking Scenario Project. Review a pediatric patient's chart and identify a discrepancy where the physician ordered 100g of a medication daily, but the nursing notes indicate only 100mg has been administered each morning for the past three days. Define the problem in your own words, considering the potential long-term complications or outcomes. Compare and contrast possible solutions to this issue, discussing their advantages and disadvantages. Select one solution as your final choice and defend your selection with a clear rationale.

Paper For Above instruction

In the scenario presented, a significant medication administration discrepancy exists: the physician's order indicates 100 grams (g) of medication daily, yet the nurses' notes reveal only 100 milligrams (mg) have been administered each morning over the past three days. This discrepancy raises concerns about patient safety, medication errors, and potential clinical complications. The core problem is the apparent miscommunication or misinterpretation of the medication order, which could be attributable to transcription errors, misreading the prescription, or a misunderstanding of units. Clarifying and addressing this issue promptly is essential to prevent adverse drug reactions, ensure the child's safety, and promote appropriate therapeutic outcomes.

The most pressing long-term complications of such a discrepancy could include medication toxicity if the prescribed dose was intended to be 100g, leading to overdose if administered, or, conversely, therapeutic failure if the dose administered is insufficient. In pediatric care, accurate dosing is critical, as children are especially vulnerable to dosing errors given their size and varying pharmacokinetics. An overdose could result in severe toxicity, organ damage, or fatal outcomes, whereas under-dosing could delay effective treatment, leading to prolonged illness or deterioration of health status. Misadministration might also erode trust between healthcare providers and the patient's family and could trigger legal and ethical issues surrounding patient safety and nursing accountability.

When confronting this issue, several potential solutions emerge. The first approach involves immediate clarification with the prescribing physician to confirm the correct dosage, followed by adjusting the medication administration accordingly. This solution prioritizes patient safety by ensuring accurate adherence to the physician’s intentions, whether that means correcting a typographical error or clarifying units. A second solution entails implementing a double-check protocol, where nurses independently verify medication orders, calculations, and administered doses before administration, minimizing errors stemming from human oversight. A third option involves utilizing electronic medical record (EMR) alerts or automated dose calculators that flag discrepancies based on standard pediatric dosing guidelines, thus reducing reliance on manual calculations and transcription accuracy.

Considering these options, I would choose the first solution—immediate communication with the physician—to clarify and confirm the correct medication order. This choice is justified because direct consultation addresses the root cause of the discrepancy—potential miscommunication or clerical error—and ensures that the correct dose is administered. It establishes clear accountability and prevents possible harm from inadvertent overdose or underdose. While double-check protocols and EMR alerts enhance safety mechanisms, they serve as adjuncts rather than primary solutions. Direct communication fosters a collaborative approach, promoting clarity and shared responsibility among healthcare providers, which is essential in pediatric pharmacotherapy where dosing precision is paramount.

References

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