Telling a daughter about a medicine error
RCSI OSCE practice station
Breaking bad news · 1 min to read · 10 min to perform
Mrs Teresa Kinsella, aged 67, was given her usual paracetamol twice within two hours this afternoon because the first dose was not recorded.
Ms Grace KinsellaI've just heard something's gone wrong with Mam's tablets. What's going on?
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You are the nurse on a medical ward. Mrs Teresa Kinsella, aged 67, was given her usual paracetamol twice within two hours this afternoon because the first dose was not recorded. The doctor has reviewed her, her observations are normal and a blood test is pending. Her daughter, Grace, has arrived and is upset about other care issues as well. The nurse in charge is aware. Speak with Grace. Introduce yourself, explain what has happened using an open disclosure approach and respond to her concerns. Record the disclosure.
What this station tests
- Open disclosure: acknowledge, apologise sincerely, explain the facts, say what is not yet known, support and follow up.
- Do not blame colleagues or speculate.
- Report the incident and tell the nurse in charge.
- Listen to the family's wider concerns and explain the complaints process.
- Record the conversation factually.
Sources for the clinical content
- HSE: open disclosure
- HSE: managing an open disclosure meeting (August 2025)
- NMBI: medicines management guidance
- NMBI: Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics
- RCSI: overseas aptitude test preparation (public topic list)
An original practice scenario with invented patients. Not an exam question.