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National Patient Safety Goals Questions and Answers | Latest Version | 2025/2026 | Correct & Verified
What should a nurse do if a patient refuses to take a prescribed medication?✔✔Document the refusal, notify the prescriber, and educate the patient on the importance of the medication.
What is the best way to ensure safe medication administration when a patient is transferred from another facility?✔✔Conduct a full medication reconciliation to confirm accuracy and continuity of care.
Why is it important to assess a patient’s allergies before medication administration?✔✔To prevent allergic reactions that could be life-threatening.
What step should be taken before collecting a blood specimen from a patient?✔✔Verify the patient's identity using two identifiers.
How can a nurse reduce the risk of urinary tract infections in patients with catheters? 1 / 3
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✔✔Use proper aseptic technique during insertion and remove the catheter as soon as medically appropriate.
What is one key way to prevent wrong-patient errors in the clinical setting?✔✔Always verify patient identity using at least two identifiers before any procedure or treatment.
What should a nurse do if a patient reports a medication looks different than usual?✔✔Hold the medication and verify it with the pharmacy before administration.
Why must documentation of pain assessments and interventions be done in real-time?✔✔To maintain accurate records and ensure continuity of pain management.
What should be done if a syringe containing a medication is found unlabeled?✔✔Discard the syringe immediately, as its contents cannot be safely verified.
Why should nurses avoid using abbreviations like “U” for units or “QD” for daily?✔✔These abbreviations are on the “Do Not Use” list and can be misread, leading to errors. 2 / 3
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What is one strategy to reduce communication errors during telephone handoffs?✔✔Use a structured format like SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation).
Why must high-alert medications be double-checked before administration?✔✔They pose a greater risk of harm if used incorrectly, so double-checking enhances safety.
What should a nurse do before giving a medication that affects heart rate or blood pressure?✔✔Check the patient’s vital signs and hold the medication if parameters are outside the safe range.
Why is it important to educate patients about new medications before discharge?✔✔To ensure they understand how to take them safely and recognize possible side effects.
What is the nurse’s role in preventing bed sores for immobile patients?✔✔Reposition the patient frequently, monitor skin integrity, and use pressure-relieving devices.
What should a nurse do if a patient suddenly becomes unresponsive?
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