Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS) Practice Exam

The scenario where a nurse gives the wrong medication to a patient due to distraction is an example of which type of error?

1. Sentinel event.

2. Human error.

3. Behavioral choice.

4. System failure.

The correct answer is: Human error.

The scenario where a nurse gives the wrong medication to a patient due to distraction is best categorized as a human error. This type of error is a mistake made by an individual, resulting from factors such as lapses in attention, memory failures, or misjudgments during the execution of their duties. In this case, the nurse's distraction directly led to the incorrect administration of medication. Human errors often stem from cognitive overload, fatigue, or environmental distractions, as seen here. Understanding this distinction is crucial for developing strategies to minimize such errors in healthcare settings, emphasizing the importance of maintaining focus and implementing safe medication practices. Other options, while relevant to different contexts, do not represent this specific scenario accurately. Sentinel events are significant incidents that result in death or serious injury, and behavioral choice refers more to decisions made based on a willingness to act or not act in a particular way. System failures pertain to broader organizational issues that might create an environment conducive to error, rather than the direct actions of an individual.