Top 3 Prescription Errors: A Guide for Future Nurses

In 2025, the FDA received over 100,000 reports of medication mistakes. Each year, nearly 7,000 people in the United States die because of these prescription errors. These problems can happen in hospitals, clinics, or even at home.

For nursing students, learning about medication safety is more important than ever. Nurses are often the last line of defense before a medicine reaches the patient. That is why knowing the 3 types of prescription errors is a must for anyone entering the healthcare field. Understanding these common mistakes can help prevent serious harm and improve patient care in every setting.

This simple guide will help you understand what to watch for and how to prevent these common mistakes.You can check the A&P class to understand how medications affect the body, which helps when learning about the 3 types of prescription errors.

Top 3 Prescription Errors: A Guide for Future Nurses

These happen when a patient misses a needed dose or medication. It could be due to a missed order or skipped administration. Omission errors are one of the 3 types of prescription errors that may delay healing or cause serious health issues.

You can learn about the human body in depth by searching for an anatomy and physiology course near me to build a strong foundation for your nursing career.

Omission Errors

Omission errors in nursing happen when a patient does not get a needed medicine. This may be because the medicine was never prescribed or because a nurse missed giving a dose. For example, a nurse may forget to give a scheduled antibiotic to a patient after surgery.

These types of medication errors can lead to serious problems. Infections may get worse. A patient’s healing may slow down. In some cases, the patient may end up back in the hospital.

To prevent these mistakes, nurses should double-check all medication charts. Tools like eMARs (electronic medication administration records) help keep track of what has been given and what is due. Nurses should also follow the “Five Rights”, right patient, right drug, right dose, right time, and right route.

Related: Impact of Quality LPN Education on Your Healthcare Career

Wrong Dosage Errors

Dosage errors occur when a patient receives either too much or too little of the required medication. This often happens when prescriptions are misread or when decimal points are misplaced. For example, giving 10 units of insulin instead of 1 unit can cause a dangerous drop in blood sugar.

These prescription error examples can lead to serious health issues like overdose, organ failure, or even death. Giving too little of a drug might not treat the problem at all.

To avoid these errors, nurses must fully understand dosage calculations. They should always double-check with a coworker and ask questions if something seems off. Knowing medical abbreviations clearly is also key to preventing misunderstandings.

Wrong Medication or Patient Errors

Giving the wrong medication or giving it to the wrong patient is one of the most serious types of prescription errors. This can happen if two drugs look or sound alike or if labels are hard to read. Distractions during a busy shift can also cause mistakes.

Imagine a nurse grabbing the wrong bottle during a busy night in the emergency room. Or giving a drug to the wrong patient during a room change. These mistakes can cause allergic reactions, unwanted side effects, or serious health problems.

To reduce these errors, hospitals use barcode scanning systems. Nurses should always confirm the patient’s name and date of birth before giving any medicine. They should also avoid interruptions when passing meds.

Conclusion

Prescription errors like omission, wrong dosage, and giving the wrong medication or to the wrong patient can lead to serious health risks. These are common examples of prescription errors that happen in clinical settings. The positive part is that most of these errors can be avoided by staying careful and focused. It’s important for nursing students to understand these risks early in their training. Following safety guidelines, checking details closely, and staying aware during each shift can help prevent harmful mistakes.

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Your role as a nurse makes a real difference. By staying informed and focused, you help protect patients and improve healthcare every day. Check out the details about how to become a licensed practical nurse and take the first step toward a rewarding career in healthcare.