Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS) Practice Exam

Which patient safety theme is most directly linked to improving medication adherence?

1. Leadership, communication, and patient advocacy

2. Patient and family engagement, health literacy, and transitions in care

3. Medication reconciliation, bedside shift report, and nurse double-check

4. Briefs, huddles, and debriefs

The correct answer is: Medication reconciliation, bedside shift report, and nurse double-check

The theme that is most directly linked to improving medication adherence focuses on practices explicitly designed to ensure that patients receive the correct medications and understand their treatment plans. Medication reconciliation, for instance, involves verifying and documenting a patient's medication list to ensure accuracy and completeness, which is crucial for avoiding errors and promoting adherence to prescribed regimens. Bedside shift reports foster communication among healthcare providers, ensuring that all team members are aware of the patient's current medication status and any changes. This enhanced communication can help mitigate misunderstandings that might interfere with a patient’s ability to adhere to their medication plans. The practice of a nurse double-checking medications before administration serves as a direct safety measure that reduces the risk of errors, thereby reinforcing the importance of taking medications as prescribed. When patients can trust that their medication management is being handled meticulously, they are more likely to follow their treatment plans effectively. The other themes listed, while important in the broader scope of patient safety, do not focus as directly on the mechanisms of medication adherence. For instance, patient and family engagement, along with health literacy, is more about the overarching relationship and understanding, but doesn’t target the specific actions regarding medication accuracy and safety as directly as the practices involved in medication reconciliation and nursing checks.