Arkansas Long Term Care Administrator Practice Exam

What should be done when there is suspected theft or error in drug administration?

1. Report it to the Department of Health immediately

2. Address it with the patient first

3. Notify the Director of Nursing and fill out an incident report

4. Ignore it if it’s a minor error

The correct answer is: Notify the Director of Nursing and fill out an incident report

When there is suspected theft or an error in drug administration, the appropriate course of action is to notify the Director of Nursing and fill out an incident report. This approach is essential for several reasons. First, notifying the Director of Nursing ensures that the issue is escalated to a supervisory level where it can be addressed properly according to facility protocols. The Director of Nursing is responsible for overseeing medication administration practices and ensuring compliance with regulations and safe practices. Second, filling out an incident report is a critical step in documenting the event accurately. Incident reports serve as official records that can be reviewed for further investigation, trend analysis, and policy improvement. They also provide a detailed account of what occurred, which is important for identifying potential systemic issues that need to be addressed. This process helps maintain accountability and transparency within the facility, ultimately ensuring the safety and well-being of all residents. Taking immediate and structured action in response to suspected theft or medication errors is vital in preventing additional incidents and in safeguarding the health of residents.