Question

A 65-year-old man with COPD is admitted with an exacerbation. Due to a prescribing error, he receives 10 times the prescribed dose of intravenous Morphine and becomes drowsy with respiratory depression, requiring naloxone and brief HDU admission. He makes a full recovery. What is the most appropriate action regarding disclosure?

Accepted Answer

Openly inform the patient about the error, apologise and explain what is being done to prevent recurrence

Answer

Do not tell the patient because he has recovered and disclosure will cause distress

Answer

Tell the patient only if he or his family ask directly

Answer

Apologise informally but avoid documenting the error

Answer

Rely on the pharmacist to explain as they made the dispensing error

Practice question