A nurse just realized that a medication error just occurred. What should the nurse do first?

A. Hospitals:While some mentally ill individuals may be treated in psychiatric hospitals today, historically, they were often housed in asylums, which were institutions specifically designated for the long-term care of those with mental illnesses.

B. Free-standing care centers:Free-standing care centers are a more modern concept for community-based care or outpatient services, not a term used historically for institutions that housed the mentally ill.

C. Long-term care facilities:Long-term care facilities typically refer to places that provide care for elderly individuals or those with chronic illnesses, but not specifically for mental illness in the historical context.

D. Asylums:Historically, individuals with mental illness were housed in asylums, which were often large institutions where they received care but were sometimes subject to poor conditions and inadequate treatment. Over time, the concept of mental health care shifted toward more humane and community-based approaches.

The first and most important step that the nurse should take is to report the medication error immediately to the nurse manager or supervisor. Medication errors can have serious consequences for patients and it is important to take immediate action to address the situation. Reporting the error to the supervisor will allow for a timely assessment of the patient's condition and any necessary interventions.

Telling the patient or a co-worker about the error is not the first step the nurse should take. It is important to first ensure that the error is reported to the appropriate person who can take action to address the situation. If there is no adverse effect on the patient, it is still important to report the error to prevent any potential harm in the future. Ignoring the error or not reporting it is not an appropriate response and can have serious consequences for the patient's safety.