What is the primary responsibility of a nurse regarding patient safety?

What is the primary responsibility of a nurse regarding patient safety?

• A. Monitoring vital signs regularly
• B. Ensuring proper medication administration
• C. Communicating effectively with other healthcare professionals
• D. Providing emotional support to patients

Answer: (B)

The primary responsibility of a nurse regarding patient safety is ensuring proper medication administration. This aspect is crucial because medication errors can lead to significant harm or even fatal outcomes for patients. Nurses play a key role in verifying the right medication, dose, route, and timing for administration, adhering to protocols, and being vigilant in identifying potential adverse drug reactions or interactions. While monitoring vital signs, communicating with other healthcare professionals, and providing emotional support to patients are all important responsibilities of nurses, they do not directly encompass the specific safety measures related to medication management. Each of these activities can contribute to patient safety, but the direct link between proper medication administration and preventing harm highlights its significance as a primary responsibility.

The primary responsibility of a nurse regarding patient safety is ensuring proper medication administration. This aspect is crucial because medication errors can lead to significant harm or even fatal outcomes for patients. Nurses play a key role in verifying the right medication, dose, route, and timing for administration, adhering to protocols, and being vigilant in identifying potential adverse drug reactions or interactions.

While monitoring vital signs, communicating with other healthcare professionals, and providing emotional support to patients are all important responsibilities of nurses, they do not directly encompass the specific safety measures related to medication management. Each of these activities can contribute to patient safety, but the direct link between proper medication administration and preventing harm highlights its significance as a primary responsibility.