A nurse is preparing to give a handoff report to the oncoming nurse. In which of the following areas should the nurse provide a report to the oncoming nurse?

Choice A reason: The hospital supervisor is not the first person to notify, as they are not directly responsible for the unit or the staff. The hospital supervisor is usually a senior nurse who oversees the operations of the entire hospital or a specific shift. They may be involved in the later stages of the reporting process, but not as the initial contact.

Choice B reason: The charge nurse is the first person to notify, as they are the immediate supervisor of the unit and the staff. The charge nurse is usually an experienced nurse who coordinates the care and activities of the unit, assigns tasks, and provides guidance and support to the staff. They have the authority and responsibility to address the situation and take appropriate actions.

Choice C reason: The chief nursing officer is not the first person to notify, as they are not directly involved in the unit or the staff. The chief nursing officer is usually the highestranking nurse in the organization, who oversees the nursing practice, quality, and education across the entire system. They may be informed of the situation by the unit director or the hospital supervisor, but not as the initial contact.

Choice D reason: The unit director is not the first person to notify, as they are not directly available on the unit or the staff. The unit director is usually a nurse manager who oversees the administrative and financial aspects of the unit, such as budgeting, staffing, and evaluation. They may be notified of the situation by the charge nurse or the hospital supervisor, but not as the initial contact.

The correct answer is: c. Less time for direct client care

Choice A: Decreased amount of paperwork

Reason: One of the advantages of electronic charting is that it significantly reduces the amount of paperwork. Traditional paper records require extensive manual documentation, which can be time-consuming and prone to errors. Electronic systems streamline this process, making it easier to input and retrieve patient information. Therefore, decreased paperwork is a benefit, not a challenge.

Choice B: Increased number of medication errors

Reason: Electronic charting systems are designed to reduce medication errors by providing features such as electronic prescribing, automated alerts for potential drug interactions, and barcode scanning for medication administration. These systems help ensure that the right medication is given to the right patient at the right time, thereby decreasing the likelihood of errors. Hence, increased medication errors are not typically associated with electronic charting.

Choice C: Less time for direct client care

Reason: One of the significant challenges of electronic charting is that it can be time-consuming, requiring nurses to spend a considerable amount of time on documentation. This can reduce the time available for direct patient care. Nurses often report that the demands of electronic documentation can detract from their ability to engage with patients, perform assessments, and provide hands-on care.

Choice D: Provides evidence of care provided

Reason: Providing evidence of care is a benefit of electronic charting, not a challenge. Electronic health records (EHRs) create a detailed and accurate record of the care provided, which can be easily accessed and reviewed. This documentation is crucial for legal, regulatory, and quality improvement purposes. Therefore, this option does not represent a challenge.