Medication Administration Safety and Error Prevention Strategies

Course Code: NURS 115 – Fundamentals of Nursing Practice

Assessment Title: Medication Administration Safety and Error Prevention Strategies

Assessment Type: Written Essay

Length: 2–3 pages (approximately 750–1,000 words)

Weighting: 20% of Course Grade

Assessment Overview

Safe medication administration is a core responsibility in nursing care and directly affects patient safety and health outcomes. This assessment focuses on identifying common causes of medication errors, evaluating evidence-based safety practices, and describing the nurse’s role in preventing adverse events. Students will apply theoretical knowledge and clinical reasoning to demonstrate how medication administration principles support patient safety across different care settings.

Assessment Task Instructions

Write a 2–3 page essay analyzing current safety practices and prevention strategies related to medication administration. Use real clinical examples or evidence from the literature to support your points.

In your essay, address the following areas:

1. Describe at least three major types of medication errors that commonly occur in nursing practice.
2. Explain the primary contributing factors for these errors, including human, environmental, and system-related causes.
3. Discuss evidence-based interventions and protocols that can reduce the risk of medication errors in clinical practice.
4. Reflect on the nurse’s ethical and legal responsibilities in medication administration and patient advocacy.
5. Provide one example of how interprofessional communication can promote safer medication practices.

Formatting and Submission Requirements

• Submit in Microsoft Word or PDF format.
• Follow APA 7th edition style for citations and references.
• Use 12-point Times New Roman font, double-spaced text, and 1-inch margins.
• Include a title page and reference list (not included in page count).

Assessment Criteria and Grading Rubric

Criteria	Excellent (90–100%)	Proficient (75–89%)	Developing (60–74%)	Needs Improvement (<60%)
Knowledge of Medication Safety Concepts	Demonstrates accurate and detailed understanding of medication safety standards and evidence-based practices.	Shows adequate knowledge with minor gaps or generalizations.	Basic discussion of safety concepts with limited depth or outdated references.	Lacks understanding of core medication safety principles.
Critical Analysis and Application	Applies theory effectively to real or simulated clinical scenarios and supports analysis with scholarly evidence.	Provides some application and evidence with moderate depth.	Describes ideas without linking them clearly to clinical application.	No evidence of critical thinking or application.
Organization and Clarity	Writing flows logically with clear transitions and focused arguments.	Mostly organized with minor clarity issues.	Some disorganization or unclear sections.	Disorganized and difficult to follow.
APA Formatting and Referencing	Accurate use of APA 7th edition style for in-text citations and references.	Minor errors in formatting or citation placement.	Frequent APA errors but recognizable attempt at formatting.	Incorrect or missing APA citations and reference list.

Medication safety remains one of the most important patient care responsibilities for nurses. Preventing medication errors requires knowledge of pharmacology, patient assessment, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Using evidence-based strategies such as barcode scanning and double verification can significantly reduce risk (Kavanagh, 2021).

References / Learning Resources

1. Kavanagh, C. (2021). Medication safety and the nursing role. Journal of Professional Nursing, 37(3), 546–553. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2021.03.001
2. Manias, E. (2018). Medication communication and safety: An evidence-based review. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 79, 109–117. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2017.11.019
3. Rodziewicz, T. L., & Houseman, B. (2024). Medical error reduction and prevention. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499956/
4. Schroers, G., Wallis, M., & Cooke, M. (2020). Nurses’ perceptions of safety practices in medication administration. BMC Nursing, 19(1), 110. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-020-00493-9