Which type of medication error involves giving an extra dose to a patient?

Which type of medication error involves giving an extra dose to a patient?

• A. Omission Error
• B. Extra Dose Error
• C. Unauthorized Drug Error
• D. Wrong Dose Error

Answer: (B)

Medication safety hinges on catching dosing errors, and one scenario specifically involves giving an extra dose. This is an Extra Dose Error, where an additional amount is administered beyond what was prescribed. The danger lies in overdose or heightened toxicity, which depends on the drug and how often it's given. This differs from an omission error, where a scheduled dose is skipped; from an unauthorized drug error, where a drug not prescribed is given; and from a wrong dose error, where the amount is incorrect but not necessarily an extra administration. Preventing this type of error relies on double‑checking the prescribed dose, confirming patient identity, and using safeguards like barcoding or two‑person verification before administration.

Medication safety hinges on catching dosing errors, and one scenario specifically involves giving an extra dose. This is an Extra Dose Error, where an additional amount is administered beyond what was prescribed. The danger lies in overdose or heightened toxicity, which depends on the drug and how often it's given. This differs from an omission error, where a scheduled dose is skipped; from an unauthorized drug error, where a drug not prescribed is given; and from a wrong dose error, where the amount is incorrect but not necessarily an extra administration. Preventing this type of error relies on double‑checking the prescribed dose, confirming patient identity, and using safeguards like barcoding or two‑person verification before administration.