Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Practice Exam

What is the term for unintended harm caused by medical care rather than a patient's underlying condition?

1. Adverse event

2. Quality and safety miscalculation

3. Sentinel event

4. Hostile error

The correct answer is: Adverse event

The term for unintended harm caused by medical care rather than a patient's underlying condition is indeed adverse event. An adverse event encompasses any undesirable experience associated with the use of a medical product or intervention that may or may not result in patient harm. This includes incidents where harm occurs due to the act of providing care or treatment, rather than as a result of the patient's existing illness or condition. Understanding the implications of an adverse event is crucial for healthcare professionals, as it highlights the need for continuous quality improvement, patient safety measures, and the assessment of healthcare delivery methods. Identifying and categorizing adverse events can lead to improved protocols and education aimed at preventing similar occurrences in the future. In contrast, other terms such as sentinel event refer to a specific type of adverse event that results in death or serious physical or psychological injury, which requires immediate investigation. "Quality and safety miscalculation" isn’t a standard term recognized in the context of patient safety, and "hostile error" is not commonly used in professional literature regarding patient harm or care; it does not reflect the nuances of patient safety terminology. Understanding these distinctions helps clinicians recognize the broader category of care-related incidents while focusing on those that pose the most significant risks to patient wellbeing.