Take The Medication Reconciliation Quiz Questions!

1. True or False: Medication reconciliation is a safety best practice designed to minimize the potential for adverse events related to medication discrepancies.

True

False

Medication reconciliation is a safety best practice that aims to prevent adverse events caused by medication discrepancies. It involves comparing the medications a patient is taking before admission, during their stay, and at discharge to identify any discrepancies or errors. By ensuring accurate and up-to-date medication information, healthcare providers can minimize the risk of adverse events such as drug interactions, incorrect dosages, or missed medications. Therefore, the statement "Medication reconciliation is a safety best practice designed to minimize the potential for adverse events related to medication discrepancies" is true.

Explanation

Medication reconciliation is a safety best practice that aims to prevent adverse events caused by medication discrepancies. It involves comparing the medications a patient is taking before admission, during their stay, and at discharge to identify any discrepancies or errors. By ensuring accurate and up-to-date medication information, healthcare providers can minimize the risk of adverse events such as drug interactions, incorrect dosages, or missed medications. Therefore, the statement "Medication reconciliation is a safety best practice designed to minimize the potential for adverse events related to medication discrepancies" is true.

2. Why is medication reconciliation important?

Medication discrepancies occur most often at transitions in care - admission, transfer and discharge

Medication discrepancies are common and can cause adverse events

Approximately 50% of patients will have at least one discrepancy between home meds and meds ordered in hospital

At least one third of discrepancies have the potential to be clinically important resulting in harm

All of the above

Medication reconciliation is important because medication discrepancies frequently occur during transitions in care, such as admission, transfer, and discharge. These discrepancies are common and can lead to adverse events. It has been found that approximately 50% of patients experience at least one discrepancy between their home medications and the medications ordered in the hospital. Furthermore, at least one third of these discrepancies have the potential to cause harm, making it crucial to address and reconcile them.

Explanation

Medication reconciliation is important because medication discrepancies frequently occur during transitions in care, such as admission, transfer, and discharge. These discrepancies are common and can lead to adverse events. It has been found that approximately 50% of patients experience at least one discrepancy between their home medications and the medications ordered in the hospital. Furthermore, at least one third of these discrepancies have the potential to cause harm, making it crucial to address and reconcile them.

3. Select pieces of information from E-Discharge Summary and Prescription that should be reviewed with patients and their caregiver at discharge.

Home medications which are to be continued

Home medications which are changed

Home medications which are stopped

New medications to be taken

The pieces of information listed in the answer are important for patients and their caregivers to review at discharge. Knowing which home medications should be continued, changed, or stopped is crucial for maintaining the patient's health and avoiding any potential adverse effects. Additionally, being aware of any new medications that need to be taken ensures that the patient receives the necessary treatment. Reviewing this information helps to ensure a smooth transition from the hospital to the home setting and promotes patient safety and well-being.

Explanation

The pieces of information listed in the answer are important for patients and their caregivers to review at discharge. Knowing which home medications should be continued, changed, or stopped is crucial for maintaining the patient's health and avoiding any potential adverse effects. Additionally, being aware of any new medications that need to be taken ensures that the patient receives the necessary treatment. Reviewing this information helps to ensure a smooth transition from the hospital to the home setting and promotes patient safety and well-being.

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4. True or False: Transcribe physician orders as written. You can assume that identified medication discrepancies are intended changes.

True

False

BPMH is compared to medication orders at transitions in care to identify and resolve discrepancies. COMPARE is the second key step of medication reconciliation.

Explanation

BPMH is compared to medication orders at transitions in care to identify and resolve discrepancies. COMPARE is the second key step of medication reconciliation.

5. True or False: Intended medication changes are documented and communicated. COMMUNICATE is the last key step of medication reconciliation.

True

False

The statement is true. Intended medication changes are documented and communicated as the last key step of medication reconciliation. This step ensures that all healthcare providers involved in a patient's care are aware of any changes made to their medication regimen. Effective communication is crucial in preventing medication errors and ensuring patient safety. By documenting and communicating medication changes, healthcare professionals can collaborate and provide consistent and appropriate care to the patient.

Explanation

The statement is true. Intended medication changes are documented and communicated as the last key step of medication reconciliation. This step ensures that all healthcare providers involved in a patient's care are aware of any changes made to their medication regimen. Effective communication is crucial in preventing medication errors and ensuring patient safety. By documenting and communicating medication changes, healthcare professionals can collaborate and provide consistent and appropriate care to the patient.

6. What are some types of medications that nurses should inquire about? Select ones that apply.

Vitamins

Over-the-counter medications

Herbal products

Prescription medications

Nurses should inquire about vitamins, over-the-counter medications, herbal products, and prescription medications. This is because all of these types of medications can potentially interact with each other or with the patient's condition or treatment plan. Inquiring about these medications allows nurses to ensure patient safety and provide appropriate care.

Explanation

Nurses should inquire about vitamins, over-the-counter medications, herbal products, and prescription medications. This is because all of these types of medications can potentially interact with each other or with the patient's condition or treatment plan. Inquiring about these medications allows nurses to ensure patient safety and provide appropriate care.

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7. There are 3 key steps involved in medication reconciliation. First step is to COLLECT. How can a nurse collect a "Best Possible Medication History" (BPMH)? Select ones that apply.

Interview the patient and/or caregiver

List all the medications the patient is taking at home from their original containers and how they are actually taken

Review at least one other reliable source of information (ex. community pharmacy, MOHLTC database, previous health record in Sunnycare)

Consult a Pharmacist

The nurse can collect a "Best Possible Medication History" (BPMH) by interviewing the patient and/or caregiver, listing all the medications the patient is taking at home from their original containers and how they are actually taken, reviewing at least one other reliable source of information (ex. community pharmacy, MOHLTC database, previous health record in Sunnycare), and consulting a pharmacist. These steps ensure that the nurse gathers accurate and comprehensive information about the patient's medication history, which is crucial for medication reconciliation.

Explanation

The nurse can collect a "Best Possible Medication History" (BPMH) by interviewing the patient and/or caregiver, listing all the medications the patient is taking at home from their original containers and how they are actually taken, reviewing at least one other reliable source of information (ex. community pharmacy, MOHLTC database, previous health record in Sunnycare), and consulting a pharmacist. These steps ensure that the nurse gathers accurate and comprehensive information about the patient's medication history, which is crucial for medication reconciliation.

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