ISMP high-alert medication categories and the double-check and safety protocols nurses use to administer them.
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- What organization publishes the official U.S. list of high-alert medications?
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The Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP)- High-alert medications are not necessarily involved in ____ than other drugs, but errors with them are more likely to cause serious harm.
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more errors- What is the defining feature of a high-alert medication?
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It carries a heightened risk of causing significant patient harm if used in error- Which high-alert drug class includes heparin and warfarin?
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Anticoagulants (antithrombotic agents)- Why is insulin classified as a high-alert medication?
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Dosing errors or mix-ups between insulin types can cause severe, rapid hypoglycemia- Why are neuromuscular blocking agents classified as high-alert?
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They cause respiratory paralysis and can be fatal without ventilatory support- What must be in place before giving a neuromuscular blocking agent?
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A secured airway with ventilatory support- Where should concentrated potassium chloride vials generally not be stored?
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In patient care unit floor stock- What is an independent double-check?
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A second qualified clinician separately verifies the drug, dose, and pump settings before administration- During an independent double-check, should the second nurse see the first nurse's calculation before checking?
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No, the second nurse should calculate independently first- Name the three things typically verified during an independent double-check of an IV opioid infusion.
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The drug, the concentration/dose, and the pump rate/programming- What lab value monitors the therapeutic effect of unfractionated heparin?
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aPTT (activated partial thromboplastin time)- What lab value monitors warfarin therapy?
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INR (international normalized ratio)- What is the antidote for heparin overdose?
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Protamine sulfate- What is the antidote for warfarin overdose?
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Vitamin K (phytonadione)
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