DHA Nursing Medication Administration and Safety 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the DHA guideline for look-alike/sound-alike (LASA) medication management?
- LASA medications do not exist in Dubai
- Separate storage, use tall-man lettering, alert stickers, and include both generic and brand names on orders to prevent confusion (Correct answer)
- Only store alphabetically
- No special precautions are needed
Correct answer: Separate storage, use tall-man lettering, alert stickers, and include both generic and brand names on orders to prevent confusion
DHA requires special handling of LASA medications including physical separation in storage, tall-man lettering (e.g., DOPamine vs DOBUTamine), alert stickers, and inclusion of both names on prescriptions.
Question 2: What is the DHA requirement for patient allergy assessment before medication administration?
- Allergy assessment is optional
- Verify allergy status on admission, document in the medical record, apply allergy wristband, and check before each medication administration (Correct answer)
- Only check for drug allergies
- Ask only during the first medication dose
Correct answer: Verify allergy status on admission, document in the medical record, apply allergy wristband, and check before each medication administration
DHA requires comprehensive allergy assessment on admission covering drug, food, and environmental allergies, documentation in the record, allergy wristband application, and verification before each medication.
Question 3: How should a DHA nurse calculate pediatric medication doses?
- Use adult doses divided by half
- Calculate based on the child's weight in kilograms using the mg/kg formula and verify against recommended dose ranges (Correct answer)
- Estimate based on the child's age
- Use a standard dose for all children
Correct answer: Calculate based on the child's weight in kilograms using the mg/kg formula and verify against recommended dose ranges
DHA pediatric medication dosing requires weight-based calculations using mg/kg formulas, verified against recommended dose ranges for the specific medication and age group, with mandatory independent double-checking.
Question 4: What is the DHA protocol for managing IV infiltration or extravasation?
- Continue the infusion at a slower rate
- Immediately stop the infusion, aspirate residual fluid, apply appropriate compresses, elevate the limb, document and report (Correct answer)
- Only apply a warm compress
- Ignore if the patient does not complain
Correct answer: Immediately stop the infusion, aspirate residual fluid, apply appropriate compresses, elevate the limb, document and report
DHA protocols require immediate cessation of the infusion, aspiration of residual fluid through the catheter, application of hot or cold compresses depending on the medication, limb elevation, and detailed documentation.
Question 5: What continuing education does DHA require for nurses regarding medication safety?
- No continuing education is required
- Annual medication safety competency assessments, updates on new medications and protocols, and high-alert medication training (Correct answer)
- Only orientation training
- Education only after a medication error occurs
Correct answer: Annual medication safety competency assessments, updates on new medications and protocols, and high-alert medication training
DHA requires ongoing medication safety education including annual competency assessments, updates on formulary changes and new medications, high-alert medication training, and participation in safety improvement initiatives.
Question 6: What is the DHA regulation on nurse-initiated medications (standing orders)?
- Nurses can administer any medication without orders
- Nurses may administer specific medications under approved standing orders or protocols, with documentation and physician notification (Correct answer)
- Standing orders are not permitted in DHA facilities
- Only senior nurses can use standing orders
Correct answer: Nurses may administer specific medications under approved standing orders or protocols, with documentation and physician notification
DHA allows nurses to administer certain medications under pre-approved standing orders or clinical protocols for specific clinical situations, with proper documentation and timely physician notification.
DHA Nursing Medication Administration and Safety 2
What is the DHA guideline for look-alike/sound-alike (LASA) medication management?