Which event is considered a sentinel event?

A. A client's IV infiltrates without injury
B. A client has mild nausea after a new medication
C. A client refuses breakfast
D. A client dies after receiving an incompatible blood transfusion

Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: D

A sentinel event is a client safety event resulting in death, permanent harm, or severe temporary harm. Hemolytic transfusion reactions involving major blood group incompatibility are on The Joint Commission list.

Source: The Joint Commission. Sentinel Event Policy and Procedures

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This question is one of 193 Management of Care items in NCLEXSim. On the NCLEX-RN, this category makes up 15–21% of the exam.

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Study tip

Work every 'who first' item through the same ladder: airway, breathing, circulation; then unstable before stable, acute before chronic, actual before potential.
Delegation: the RN keeps initial assessment, care planning, teaching, evaluation, and any unstable client. LPNs take stable, predictable clients. Assistive personnel take routine tasks such as vital signs on stable clients, hygiene, feeding without swallowing risk, and ambulation.

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Which event is considered a sentinel event?

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