A nurse is attending a quality improvement meeting. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first when initiating a quality improvement program to address health care-associated infections?

A.While it is important to have nonperishable food items, they should generally be checked and rotated every 6 months to a year to ensure they remain within expiration dates and to maintain freshness. Depending on storage conditions, some items may degrade sooner, so this timeframe may be insufficient.

B.In a disaster situation, access to pharmacies may be limited, so having a backup supply of essential nonprescription medications like pain relievers, antacids, and allergy medications is essential. This ensures that individuals have what they need to manage minor health issues without needing immediate access to stores.

C.Current recommendations typically advise having enough supplies for at least 3 days (72 hours) to a week, as this is generally the period required before external help may arrive during a disaster. While gathering supplies for two weeks can be helpful, it may not be feasible for everyone due to storage limitations.

D.The recommended amount of water for emergency situations is 1 gallon (approximately 3.8 liters) per person per day, which accounts for drinking and basic hygiene needs. Two liters would not be sufficient for most people’s daily water needs during an emergency.

A.Notifying the charge nurse is an important action, as it ensures that other team members are aware of the error and can support corrective actions. However, this is not the first action the nurse should take, as assessing the client’s condition takes priority.

B.Informing the provider about the error is essential to allow for any additional orders or corrective measures, such as treatments to mitigate adverse effects. However, the nurse should first assess the client for any changes in condition to report specific findings to the provider if an intervention is needed.

C.Assessing the client’s condition is the first priority when a medication error is discovered. This action helps determine whether the incorrect dose has affected the client, allowing the nurse to provide immediate care if needed.

D.Completing an incident report is necessary to document the error, allowing the facility to review and address any procedural gaps. However, completing the report is not an immediate action in terms of client safety and should occur after assessing the client and notifying the necessary parties.