Medication errors in pediatric nursing: Assessment of nursesʹ knowledge and analysis of the consequences of errors

SummaryAim rposes of this study were (i) to evaluate pediatric nursesʹ knowledge of pharmacology, and (ii) to analyze known pediatric administration errors. ound tion errors occur frequently and ubiquitously, but medication errors involving pediatric patients attract special attention for their high incidence and injury rates. s s-sectional study was conducted. A questionnaire with 20 true–false questions regarding pharmacology was used to evaluate nursesʹ knowledge, and the known pediatric administration errors were reported by nurses. gs erall correct answer rate on the knowledge of pharmacology was 72.9% (n = 262). Insufficient knowledge (61.5%) was the leading obstacle nurses encountered when administering medications. Of 141 pediatric medication errors, more than 60% (61.0%) of which were wrong doses, 9.2% of the children involved suffered serious consequences. sions ce-based results demonstrate that pediatric nurses have insufficient knowledge of pharmacology. Such strategies as providing continuing education and double-checking dosages are suggested.