A nurse is serving on a continuous quality improvement (CQI) committee that has been assigned to develop a program to reduce the number of medication administration errors following a sentinel event at the facility. Which of the following strategies should the committee plan to initiate first?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Review the events leading up to each medication administration error. This strategy is the most critical initial step in addressing medication administration errors. By conducting a thorough review of the events leading up to each error, the committee can identify root causes and contributing factors, allowing for targeted interventions to prevent similar errors in the future. This approach aligns with the principles of continuous quality improvement (CQI) by focusing on understanding the underlying issues before implementing solutions. Choice A: Providing an inservice on medication administration to all nurses may be beneficial, but without understanding the specific factors contributing to errors, the impact may be limited. Choice B: Requiring staff nurses to pass a medication administration examination focuses on individual competency, which is important but not as effective as addressing system issues that contribute to errors. Choice D: Developing a quality improvement program for nurses involved in errors is necessary but should come after identifying and addressing the root causes of errors through a comprehensive review process.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Minimize selection bias. Random assignment in an RCT helps ensure that participants in the experimental and control groups are similar at baseline. This minimizes the risk of selection bias, where certain characteristics of participants influence study outcomes. Choice A is incorrect because the purpose of random assignment is not specifically to test treatment effectiveness but to minimize bias. Choice C is incorrect because random assignment does not directly increase sample size. Choice D is incorrect because providing a baseline measurement is not the primary purpose of random assignment in an RCT.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Step 1: Reviewing the events leading up to each medication administration error is the most crucial first step. It allows the committee to understand the root causes of the errors, identify patterns or common factors contributing to errors, and develop targeted interventions to prevent future errors. Step 2: Providing an inservice on medication administration to all nurses (Choice A) is important but should come after understanding the specific issues causing errors. Step 3: Requiring staff nurses to demonstrate competency by passing an examination (Choice B) is not the most effective initial strategy as it focuses on individual performance rather than systemic issues. Step 4: Developing a quality improvement program for nurses involved in errors (Choice D) is important but should follow the analysis of the errors to ensure the program's effectiveness in addressing the identified issues.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Leave the pimple. Pinching a pimple can lead to inflammation, scarring, and further spread of bacteria. Leaving the pimple allows it to heal naturally, reducing the risk of complications. It is important to practice gentle skincare to promote healthy skin and avoid causing damage or irritation. Other choices are incorrect as they involve actions that can harm the skin and worsen the condition.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Hypothermia. Subnormal core body temperature indicates the body temperature is below normal range, which is characteristic of hypothermia. Hyperthermia refers to elevated body temperature, making choice A incorrect. Choices C and D are likely not provided as they do not directly relate to the concept of body temperature.