Ethics and Law in Nursing
What does it mean to be ethical as a nurse?
Doing what’s right to keep patients safe and cared for.
What does EMM stand for?
Electronic Medication Management.
What is a time-critical dose?
A medication that must be given at a specific time to prevent harm or ensure effectiveness.
Which course outcome focuses on integrating science knowledge into drug administration?
Outcome 3
The study found EMM systems had no effect on medication omissions.
False. They reduced preventable omissions of time-critical doses.
Why is it important to document when you give medicine?
Because it’s proof that you gave the right medicine safely.
What is one thing EMM systems help nurses do?
Give medicine on time and keep track of doses.
What can happen if a nurse forgets to give a time-critical medication?
The patient’s condition could get worse or they could have a bad reaction.
How can nurses use EMM data to improve medication safety?
By identifying patterns in missed doses and making workflow improvements.
Documentation is optional if a medication is administered safely.
False. Documentation is a legal and ethical requirement.
What should a nurse do if they make a medication mistake?
Tell someone right away and report it honestly.
What other technology works with EMM to make giving medicine safer?
Automated Dispensing Cabinets (ADCs).
If a nurse notices a medication was missed, what should they do?
Tell the instructor or provider, give it if it’s safe, and document it right away.
How does using an electronic system help nurses make smart decisions?
It shows reminders and helps them see when and what medicine is due.
Technology alone can ensure patient safety in medication administration.
False. Nurse judgment and accountability are still essential.
Why is honesty important in nursing?
Because patients trust nurses to tell the truth and keep them safe.
How does using technology help prevent medication mistakes?
It gives alerts, reminders, and keeps clear records for nurses.
Why is it important for nurses to double-check medications before giving them?
To make sure the right patient gets the right medicine at the right time.
What skill helps nurses connect research findings to safe clinical practice?
Critical Thinking
Wards with Automated Dispensing Cabinets had lower omission rates than those without.
True. The technology helped improve timeliness and reduce missed doses.
In one sentence, explain how technology and nursing ethics work together to prevent medication errors.
Technology provides tools for accuracy and tracking, while ethics guide nurses to use those tools responsibly to protect patients.
How does using an electronic medication system help nurses give medicine on time?
It sends reminders, tracks doses, and keeps records so nurses don’t miss time-critical medications.
If a nurse sees that a dose was missed, what should they do first?
Check the patient, give the medication if it’s safe, and report and document what happened.
Why is it important for nurses to think carefully before giving medication, even with electronic help?
Because nurses must use their own judgment to catch mistakes or delays that the system might miss.
Once an EMM system is implemented, nurses no longer need to verify medication times or monitor for omissions.
False. Even with EMM systems, nurses must still verify times, check for alerts or delays, and use professional judgment. Technology reduces errors but does not replace human oversight or critical thinking in medication administration.