What actions should you take after discovering a medication error?

• A. Assess patient, notify supervisor, document details, file an incident report, and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
• B. Ignore and continue.
• C. Blame another staff member.
• D. Delay reporting until the next shift.

Answer: (D)

When a medication error is found, the priority is patient safety and starting the right safety process immediately. First, assess the patient for any adverse effects or changes in condition and provide any needed urgent care. Then promptly inform the supervisor or the responsible clinician so they can guide next steps and authorize any treatment adjustments. It’s important to document exactly what happened, including what was given, when, and any observed effects, so the care team has a complete record. An incident report should be filed to capture the event in a formal way, which supports accountability and helps identify what went wrong. Finally, review the situation to determine corrective actions that prevent recurrence, sharing lessons learned with the team and updating procedures or reminders as needed.

Delaying reporting or blaming others undermines patient safety, can miss early intervention opportunities, and may violate workplace policies or regulatory requirements.