A nurse notices that a client's health information is visible on an unattended computer screen at the nurses' station. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

A) Use diluted bleach to clean soiled equipment: This is the correct answer. Clostridium difficile is a bacterium that can form spores, which are resistant to many common disinfectants. Diluted bleach (sodium hypochlorite) is effective in killing C. difficile spores, making it an essential part of infection control protocols for clients with C. difficile infection. It is recommended to use a dilution of 1:10 bleach to water for environmental cleaning.

B) Provide a room with negative-pressure airflow: While negative-pressure rooms may be used for clients with certain airborne infections to prevent the spread of pathogens, it is not typically necessary for clients with C. difficile infection. Standard precautions, including meticulous hand hygiene and appropriate environmental cleaning, are the primary measures for preventing transmission.

C) Wear an N95 respirator when caring for the client: N95 respirators are recommended for healthcare workers caring for clients with airborne infections such as tuberculosis or certain respiratory viruses. C. difficile is transmitted primarily through contact with contaminated surfaces or feces, so standard precautions, including gloves and gowns, are sufficient for preventing transmission.

D) Disinfect hands using an alcohol-based waterless antiseptic: While alcohol-based hand sanitizers are effective against many types of bacteria and viruses, they may not be sufficient for eliminating C. difficile spores. Handwashing with soap and water is preferred for removing C. difficile spores from hands.

A) Contact the nurse from the previous shift to report the doubled dose:

While it may be appropriate to communicate with the nurse from the previous shift to gather information about the medication administration, contacting them solely to report the doubled dose may not be the most effective action. The priority is to ensure appropriate documentation of the incident and take necessary steps to address it.

B) Document the doubled dose in the client's medical record:

Documenting the doubled dose in the client's medical record is essential for accurate and transparent documentation of the incident. This documentation should include details such as the medication, dosage, time of administration, and any actions taken in response to the error. It ensures that all members of the healthcare team are aware of what occurred and facilitates appropriate follow-up and monitoring.

C) Place a copy of the incident report in the client's record:

While completing an incident report is necessary to formally document the medication error and initiate an investigation, simply placing a copy of the report in the client's record may not be sufficient. The incident report typically serves as an internal document used for quality improvement purposes and may not be part of the client's official medical record.

D) Report the incident to the manager of the pharmacy:

Reporting the incident to the manager of the pharmacy may be appropriate for addressing potential medication dispensing errors or system issues but may not be the immediate action required when a medication error occurs at the administration stage. The first priority is to ensure accurate documentation of the error in the client's medical record.