A junior doctor accidentally administers 4 mg of intravenous Midazolam instead of 1 mg to a terminally ill patient with agitation. The patient becomes...

Question

A junior doctor accidentally administers 4 mg of intravenous Midazolam instead of 1 mg to a terminally ill patient with agitation. The patient becomes more drowsy but is comfortable and dies peacefully later that night from his underlying disease. What is the most appropriate action?

Accepted Answer

Openly acknowledge and document the error, inform the senior team and, where appropriate, discuss with the family in line with duty of candour

Answer

Alter the drug chart to hide the error

Answer

Do nothing as the patient was dying anyway

Answer

Blame the nurse for not checking the dose

Answer

Avoid documenting the dose to prevent legal repercussions

uk-plab-1 MCQ (SBA): Ethical prescribing at end of life

A junior doctor accidentally administers 4 mg of intravenous Midazolam instead of 1 mg to a terminally ill patient with agitation. The patient becomes more drowsy but is comfortable and dies peacefully later that night from his underlying disease. What is the most appropriate action?