A number of ethical issues arise when a nurse prescribing drugs to a 5-year old makes an error and recommend the prescription for adults. Such an error will offend the provisions of Code of Ethics for Nurses, especially provisions 3 and 4. Provision 3 requires that nurses commit and stick to practices that promote the health and safety of the patient by avoiding or reducing errors that may compromise such safety. The provision requires nurses to follow laid down guidelines and procedures in reporting any errors that may pose dander to the health of the child. Wrong prescription is one such error. Provision 4, emphasizes the obligation of the nurse to take responsibility for their actions (ANA, 2019). Dosage errors fall under the actions for which the nurse is required to take responsibility. Nurses are required to require liaising with other care givers and health professionals to ensure that the safety of the patient is safeguarded.
Prescription error may have dire legal implications on the nurse depending on how well the error is handled (Drug Enforcement Administration, 2012). Consequences for a nurse who makes a prescription error usually includes civil or criminal proceedings by the patients or their agents (Drug Enforcement Administration, 2006). Such errors may also attract disciplinary actions by the relevant disciplinary authorities such as the State Board of Nursing. The nurse may also suffer mental anguish, torture and guilt for such errors, which may affect their well being and productivity at work. Malpractices by the nurse may also have grave psychological effects on the patient, their parents, and guardians and close family members.
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As a practicing nurse, my first reaction on discovering that I have given the wrong prescription would be to report the error immediately, and to disclose the error to the parents or guardians of the patient in a responsible manner that is acceptable within nursing practice guidelines.
References
American Nurses Association (ANA), (2019). Code of Ethics for Nurses With Interpretive Statements (View Only for Members and Non-Members). Retrieved from https://www.nursingworld.org/coe-view-only
Drug Enforcement Administration. (2006.). Practitioners manual. Retrieved from http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/pubs/manuals/pract/index.html
Drug Enforcement Administration. (2012). Code of federal regulations. Retrieved August 23, 2012, from http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/21cfr/cfr/1300/1300_01.htm
