Decision Making In Nursing Care

According to Berman, Snyder & Frandsen (2016), “the National Coordinating Council for Medication Error Reporting and Prevention estimates that 98,000 people die annually from medical errors that occur in hospitals and that a significant number of those deaths are due to medication errors.” With the growing dependence on medication therapy as the primary treatment to illness, patients are exposed to potential harm as well as benefits. There are many components to medication administration besides just giving a medication to a patient. Nurses are trained to identify why the patient is receiving the medication, how the drug moves through the body, what the side effects, and adverse reactions that may occur. In addition, it involves observations …show more content…
However, LPNs view medication reconciliation as an assignment to be completed. As stated by Vogelsmeier et al. (2011), the LPN staff focused on medication reconciliation as a task in accordance to organizational rules and an assigned responsibility to complete the medication reconciliation form.” In this case, LPNs are following organizational rules and regulations without utilizing nursing judgment. Likewise, assumptions about medication orders are made. This action disagrees with Berman et al. (2016) description of values basic to patient advocacy in which patients have the right to expect a nurse-client relationship that is based on shared respect, trust, collaboration in solving problems related to health and health care needs. As a profession, nurses are legally responsible for communicating patient health concerns and safety. LPNs work under the RNs guidance, but that should not veer them away of patient advocacy by disregarding nursing …show more content…
The use of medication reconciliation is shown to be a safe and effective means of preventing medication errors and adverse effects. Following medication reconciliation guidelines will keep patients safe in addition to being able to continue my nursing practice. If I were to graduate as a LPN or RN, patient advocacy should not be overlooked in any circumstance. Abiding within the scope of practice offers protection to the patient and myself. Besides, healthcare organizations should be more attentive towards medication reconciliation by recognizing and appointing the duty to only those who are licensed to process them. Just as nurses rationalize every step to improve patient’s health, I should be aware of my own