Which of the following actions is a common negligent act in hospital nursing practice?

• A. Documenting changes in patient status promptly.
• B. Failure to follow the six rights of medication administration.
• C. Communicating with a patient using a interpreter.
• D. Adhering to standard infection control practices.

Answer: (B)

Safety in medication administration relies on following established checks called the six rights: the right patient, the right medication, the right dose, the right route, the right time, and the right documentation. When any of these safeguards is skipped or done incorrectly, the risk of harm to the patient increases, and that deviation from standard practice is considered negligent. This is why failing to follow the six rights is the common negligent act in hospital nursing—it directly breaches the expected standard of care and can lead to serious, preventable harm. By contrast, promptly documenting changes in patient status, communicating with a patient using an interpreter, and adhering to standard infection control practices are all actions that promote safety and proper care.