NR 360 Unit 4 Discussion Topic:
Workarounds and Their Implications for
Patient Safety (Summer 2020)
Practice Exam Questions with Rationales
Question 1
What is a workaround in the context of healthcare technology?
A. A new evidence-based practice protocol
B. A shortcut or deviation from accepted practice protocols, often used to save
time or bypass technology issues
C. A hospital policy for medication administration
D. A type of clinical decision support tool
Answer: B. A shortcut or deviation from accepted practice protocols, often used to
save time or bypass technology issues
Rationale: A workaround is a practice that deviates from accepted and expected
practice protocols. It is often used as a shortcut to save time when technology fails or
time is short. While workarounds may increase efficiency, they carry significant patient
safety risks.
Question 2
, Which of the following is an example of a technology-related workaround in a
hospital setting?
A. Following the "five rights" of medication administration
B. Typing a medication's National Drug Code manually when the barcode scanner
fails
C. Reporting a medication error to the charge nurse
D. Completing a fall risk assessment
Answer: B. Typing a medication's National Drug Code manually when the barcode
scanner fails
Rationale: When a barcode scanner fails to read medication vials during medication
pass, a nurse might type the National Drug Code (NDC) manually to stay on schedule.
This is a workaround because it deviates from the intended safety protocol (barcode
medication administration). The behavior is often triggered by time pressure.
Question 3
A nurse uses a rubber band to hold a faulty pulse oximetry probe on a patient's
finger because a work order has been placed but not yet completed. This
workaround is an example of:
A. Following evidence-based practice
B. Compensating for equipment unreliability
C. Improving patient safety
D. Adhering to hospital policy
Answer: B. Compensating for equipment unreliability
Rationale: This workaround compensates for perceived equipment unreliability. When
equipment fails, nurses may create temporary fixes to continue providing care. However,
this creates significant risk: if the pulse oximetry is faulty, the nurse may not accurately
determine the patient's oxygen saturation, which can lead to patient deterioration.
Workarounds and Their Implications for
Patient Safety (Summer 2020)
Practice Exam Questions with Rationales
Question 1
What is a workaround in the context of healthcare technology?
A. A new evidence-based practice protocol
B. A shortcut or deviation from accepted practice protocols, often used to save
time or bypass technology issues
C. A hospital policy for medication administration
D. A type of clinical decision support tool
Answer: B. A shortcut or deviation from accepted practice protocols, often used to
save time or bypass technology issues
Rationale: A workaround is a practice that deviates from accepted and expected
practice protocols. It is often used as a shortcut to save time when technology fails or
time is short. While workarounds may increase efficiency, they carry significant patient
safety risks.
Question 2
, Which of the following is an example of a technology-related workaround in a
hospital setting?
A. Following the "five rights" of medication administration
B. Typing a medication's National Drug Code manually when the barcode scanner
fails
C. Reporting a medication error to the charge nurse
D. Completing a fall risk assessment
Answer: B. Typing a medication's National Drug Code manually when the barcode
scanner fails
Rationale: When a barcode scanner fails to read medication vials during medication
pass, a nurse might type the National Drug Code (NDC) manually to stay on schedule.
This is a workaround because it deviates from the intended safety protocol (barcode
medication administration). The behavior is often triggered by time pressure.
Question 3
A nurse uses a rubber band to hold a faulty pulse oximetry probe on a patient's
finger because a work order has been placed but not yet completed. This
workaround is an example of:
A. Following evidence-based practice
B. Compensating for equipment unreliability
C. Improving patient safety
D. Adhering to hospital policy
Answer: B. Compensating for equipment unreliability
Rationale: This workaround compensates for perceived equipment unreliability. When
equipment fails, nurses may create temporary fixes to continue providing care. However,
this creates significant risk: if the pulse oximetry is faulty, the nurse may not accurately
determine the patient's oxygen saturation, which can lead to patient deterioration.
