Question

Healthcare workers need to be precise and accurate. Drug errors and death can be a result of a mistake in which of the following? Choose all that apply.

the system of measurement

the route of administration

the dose of medication

Answer 1

All of the above.

- System of measurement: confusing units (mg vs mL, metric vs household, misplaced decimal points) can produce tenfold or greater dosing errors.
- Route of administration: giving a drug by the wrong route (e.g., IV instead of IM or oral instead of IV) changes onset, bioavailability and safety, and can be fatal.
- Dose of medication: too little may be ineffective; too much can cause toxicity or death.