A doctor calls for dosage of a certain drug to be administered every 6 hours. The nurse administer these dose are on 12 hrs
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer: The nurse is not following the doctor’s instructions correctly.
The doctor’s order specifies that the drug should be administered every 6 hours. This means that the patient must receive the medication four times within a 24-hour period. When a drug is prescribed at 6-hour intervals, it is often to maintain a constant level of the medication in the bloodstream. This helps ensure the drug remains effective and provides continuous treatment without gaps that could reduce its therapeutic benefit.
If the nurse administers the drug every 12 hours instead of every 6 hours, the patient receives only two doses in 24 hours rather than the required four. This leads to long periods when the drug concentration in the patient’s system falls below the effective level. As a result, the drug may not work as intended. This can cause the treatment to fail, the condition to worsen, or allow the disease to progress unchecked. In some cases, especially with antibiotics or medications for serious infections, this mistake can be dangerous and even life-threatening.
Administering medication at the wrong interval is considered a medication error. It can affect patient outcomes and might lead to disciplinary action against the healthcare provider if harm occurs. Nurses have a duty to follow the prescriber’s directions exactly and clarify any doubts before administration. If the nurse felt unsure or confused about the timing, they should have consulted the physician or pharmacist before proceeding.
In conclusion, administering a dose every 12 hours when the doctor prescribed every 6 hours is a significant error. Proper timing of medications is essential to ensure effective and safe patient care. Healthcare professionals must always verify and adhere to prescribed instructions.