A practical nurse (PN) observes a coworker exhibiting slurred speech, an unsteady gait, and the smell of alcohol while preparing to administer medications to clients. In which order should the PN take the following actions? Arrange the steps from first to last.
- 1Intervene to stop the coworker from administering medications.
- 2Notify the nursing supervisor or charge nurse about the coworker's condition.
- 3Document specific, objective observations regarding the coworker's behavior.
- 4Submit a formal incident report in accordance with facility protocols.
Answer
First, the PN must intervene to ensure client safety, followed by notifying the supervisor, documenting objective findings, and finally submitting an incident report.
When dealing with an impaired coworker, basic safety principles mandate that protecting the client from immediate harm is the top priority. Therefore, stopping the impaired nurse from administering medications must come first. Next, the PN must report the situation up the chain of command to the supervisor so appropriate administrative action can be taken. Finally, the PN should document objective findings in the record and complete a formal incident report to comply with legal and facility requirements.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Legal and Ethical Practice: Mandatory Reporting of Impaired Practice