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According to the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP), a medication is identified as high-alert if it:

Rationale

could cause significant harm to a patient if used in error

A medication is classified as high-alert if it has a heightened risk of causing significant patient harm when used incorrectly. These medications do not necessarily cause more errors, but when errors do occur, the consequences are often severe.

A (commonly causes sedation in a majority of patients) YOUR ANSWER

Incorrect. Sedation is a side effect of some medications, but it is not a defining criterion for high-alert status.

B (could cause significant harm to a patient if used in error) CORRECT

Correct. High-alert medications are defined by their potential to cause serious harm or death if misused, even if the error rate is not higher than other drugs.

C (requires a special billing process in the pharmacy) YOUR ANSWER

Incorrect. Billing procedures are unrelated to whether a medication is considered high-alert.

D (has several side effects) YOUR ANSWER

Incorrect. Having multiple side effects does not determine high-alert status; the key factor is severity of harm from errors, not side effect count.

Conclusion

A high-alert medication is one that can cause significant patient harm if used in error, making Choice B the correct answer.

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