Interactive Clinical Scenario

The Five
Rights

Medication Safety Challenge

Question 1 of 5

Right Patient

Who are you giving this to?

Scenario

You are preparing Metformin 500mg for a patient. The medication chart reads "Margaret Chen, DOB 14/03/1952". You approach the bed and the patient says, "I'm Margaret". What is the correct next step?

AAdminister the medication since the patient confirmed her name

BAsk the patient to state their full name and date of birth, then check the wristband

CCheck the bed number matches the medication chart

DAsk the nurse at the station to confirm the patient's identity

Correct

Three-point check: Ask the patient to state their name, verify their date of birth, and match against the ID wristband. Never rely on a verbal "yes" alone.

Question 2 of 5

Right Drug

Is this the correct medication?

Scenario

The chart says Amlodipine 5mg. You pull a blister pack from the medication drawer. The label reads "Amiodarone 200mg". Both drug names start with "Am". What should you do?

AGive it since the names look similar and the pharmacy dispensed it

BAdjust the dose to compensate for the different drug strength

CStop. The drug names do not match. Return it and source the correct medication

DAsk the patient whether they usually take Amiodarone

Correct

LASA alert: Amlodipine and Amiodarone are Look-Alike Sound-Alike drugs. Always read the full generic name and cross-check against the chart.

Question 3 of 5

Right Dose

How much should you give?

Scenario

The order reads "Paracetamol 1g oral". You have 500mg tablets available. A colleague says, "Just give three to be safe, it covers the dose". What is correct?

AGive two tablets (2 x 500mg = 1g) as prescribed

BGive three tablets as the colleague suggested

CGive one tablet since it is close enough to the prescribed dose

DContact pharmacy to supply 1g tablets instead

Correct

Calculate, don't estimate. 1g = 1000mg. Two 500mg tablets = 1000mg. Never deviate from the prescribed dose based on someone else's suggestion.

Question 4 of 5

Right Route

How should it be given?

Scenario

A patient is prescribed Ondansetron 4mg IV for nausea. You find Ondansetron 4mg oral dissolving tablets in the medication drawer. The patient is vomiting frequently. What do you do?

AGive the oral tablet since it dissolves quickly and the dose is the same

BCrush the tablet and add it to the IV fluid

CWithhold the medication until the patient stops vomiting

DSource the IV formulation as prescribed. The route matters, not just the drug

Correct

Route is not interchangeable. IV delivers directly to the bloodstream. An oral form would be unreliable in a vomiting patient. Never substitute routes without a new order.

Question 5 of 5

Right Time

When should it be given?

Scenario

A patient's insulin is charted for 0800. It is now 0930. You've just arrived on shift and noticed it wasn't given. The patient has already eaten breakfast. What should you do?

AGive it immediately to make up for the missed dose

BSkip the dose and give it at the next scheduled time

CCheck the patient's blood glucose, document the delay, and contact the prescriber for guidance

DDouble the next dose to compensate for the missed one

Correct

Time-critical medications need clinical judgement. Insulin timing affects blood glucose. A delayed dose after meals requires reassessment. Always escalate when timing is compromised.

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Well Done

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The FiveRights

Right Patient

Right Drug

Right Dose

Right Route

Right Time

Well Done

The Five
Rights