What action must be taken if a medication administration error occurs?

In the event of a medication administration error, the appropriate action is to notify the physician, especially if there are any detrimental effects on the patient's health. This step is critical for ensuring the safety and well-being of the patient and allows for immediate assessment and necessary interventions if the error could lead to adverse effects.

Reporting the error to the physician allows for a proper evaluation of how the error may impact the patient's treatment plan and health status. Timely communication can help in mitigating any potential harm and sets into motion any follow-up care needed as a result of the error.

In contrast, simply documenting the error without notifying anyone fails to address the potential consequences that might arise from it. Ignoring minor errors does not account for the possibility of unexpected outcomes, and immediate re-administration of medication could exacerbate issues rather than resolve them. Therefore, the protocol in medical practice emphasizes the need for transparency and communication when handling medication errors to maintain patient safety and effective healthcare delivery.