CELBAN Writing Incident Reports 2

Question 1

A patient falls while ambulating to the bathroom at 2:14 AM. Which detail is MOST critical to include in the incident report?

Accepted Answer

The exact time, location, and immediate patient condition after the fall

Answer

Incident reports must document factual details including exact time, location, and immediate assessment findings.

Question 2

Which sentence best demonstrates objective language in an incident report?

Accepted Answer

Patient was found on the floor beside the bed at 03:00; Glasgow Coma Scale score was 15.

Answer

Objective language uses measurable, observable facts rather than interpretations or assumptions.

Question 3

When documenting a medication error in an incident report, which element is LEAST appropriate to include?

Accepted Answer

A personal apology to the patient

Answer

Incident reports are factual documents; personal apologies are inappropriate and can be used as admissions of liability.

Question 4

A nurse witnesses a colleague make a medication error but does not report it. What is the primary professional concern?

Accepted Answer

The nurse breaches the duty to protect patient safety and violates reporting obligations

Answer

Nurses have a professional and ethical obligation to report incidents that affect patient safety.

Question 5

Which phrase is an example of 'weasel wording' that should be avoided in incident reports?

Accepted Answer

It appears the IV line may have possibly been disconnected.

Answer

Phrases like 'appears to' and 'may have possibly' introduce vague uncertainty that weakens the factual integrity of a report.

(CELBAN) Canadian English Language Benchmark Assessment for Nurses Practice Test