Certified Nurse Manager and Leader (CNML) Practice Test

What defines a medical error?

1. An unavoidable outcome of treatment

2. A preventable adverse or near miss event

3. A consequence of patient non-compliance

4. A result of inadequate staff training

The correct answer is: A preventable adverse or near miss event

A medical error is defined as a preventable adverse event or near miss that occurs during the process of healthcare delivery. This encompasses any mistake that could harm a patient or lead to an unintended outcome, particularly those that could have been avoided with proper protocols, systems, or checks in place. This definition emphasizes the importance of safety in healthcare and the need for effective practices to minimize risks. When considering the elements of a medical error, it is vital to recognize that it involves specific actions or omissions that directly lead to an adverse outcome for the patient. The focus on preventability highlights the responsibility of healthcare providers and institutions to implement measures that can avoid such errors. This holistic view encourages a culture of safety and continuous improvement within healthcare settings. The other options do not accurately capture the core concept of a medical error. For instance, defining a medical error solely as an unavoidable outcome of treatment overlooks the potential for prevention and management of risks. Meanwhile, consequences of patient non-compliance and inadequacies in staff training do not inherently qualify as medical errors, as they involve external factors influencing treatment outcomes rather than direct actions taken or omitted during care provision.