Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 78%
Simulated
A nurse is providing teaching with a nursing colleague about sentinel events. Which of the following statements by the nursing colleague indicates an understanding?
Correct answer
A
Rationale
The correct answer is A because administering incompatible blood products to a client is a classic example of a sentinel event, which is a serious, preventable healthcare error that results in severe harm or death to a patient. This type of error has a high likelihood of causing serious harm and requires immediate investigation and response to prevent recurrence.
Choice B is incorrect because administering client medications 30 minutes late, while not ideal, does not typically result in severe harm or death to the patient, and therefore does not meet the criteria for a sentinel event.
Choice C is incorrect because documenting vital signs at the wrong time, while important for accurate patient care, does not inherently result in severe harm or death to the patient, and therefore is not considered a sentinel event.
Choice D is incorrect because administering a prescribed sedative to a client for insomnia, while potentially problematic, may not always result in severe harm or death to the patient, and therefore does not meet the criteria for a sentinel event.
Choice B is incorrect because administering client medications 30 minutes late, while not ideal, does not typically result in severe harm or death to the patient, and therefore does not meet the criteria for a sentinel event.
Choice C is incorrect because documenting vital signs at the wrong time, while important for accurate patient care, does not inherently result in severe harm or death to the patient, and therefore is not considered a sentinel event.
Choice D is incorrect because administering a prescribed sedative to a client for insomnia, while potentially problematic, may not always result in severe harm or death to the patient, and therefore does not meet the criteria for a sentinel event.