A staff nurse reports an observation of a coworker injecting themselves with a syringe in the bathroom. The coworker admits to stealing narcotics from the medication room. The staff nurse should take which of the following courses of action?
Report the incident to the appropriate person in the chain of command right away.
Agree to not report the incident if the coworker seeks treatment.
Report the incident to the other RNs on the shift.
Agree to not report the incident if the coworker promises to report themselves to the supervisor.
The Correct Answer is A
A. When a nurse observes illegal or unethical behavior, such as stealing narcotics, it is their ethical and legal responsibility to report the incident promptly to the appropriate authorities.
B. While it's important to encourage the coworker to seek treatment for their substance abuse issue, withholding reporting of the incident compromises patient safety and violates organizational policies and legal obligations. It's essential to report the incident regardless of the coworker's actions afterward.
C. Reporting the incident to other RNs on the shift may not be sufficient action to address the seriousness of the situation. While it's important for colleagues to be aware of potential risks to patient safety, the primary responsibility lies with reporting the incident to the appropriate authorities within the organization.
D. Agreeing not to report the incident in exchange for the coworker promising to report themselves to the supervisor is not an appropriate course of action. It's essential to follow established reporting protocols and ensure that the incident is documented and addressed through the appropriate channels to protect patient safety and uphold professional standards.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
B. By reinforcing the importance of recognizing discrimination in vulnerable populations with staff, healthcare organizations can promote awareness, sensitivity, and understanding among healthcare providers.
A. Updating client charts to reflect socioeconomic status may be important for understanding the social determinants of health but does not directly address healthcare disparities among vulnerable groups.
C. Compiling a list of resources does not directly translate to availability of the resources to all members of the community.
D. Addressing healthcare disparities among vulnerable groups often requires a more comprehensive approach that considers factors beyond medication affordability.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
C. Psychiatric pharmacogenomic testing involves analyzing an individual's genetic makeup to predict their response to psychiatric medications. This testing provides healthcare providers with information about how an individual's genetic variations may impact their metabolism of medications.
A. Psychiatric pharmacogenomic testing can inform treatment decisions but it does not determine the likelihood of a cure. Mental illness is complex and often requires multimodal treatment approaches beyond medication alone.
B. Pharmacogenomic testing can provide information about how an individual's genetics may interact with specific medications but it primarily focuses on identifying which medications are likely to be most effective for the individual, rather than interactions between medications.
D. Psychiatric pharmacogenomic testing does not determine the cause of mental illness. Mental illnesses are multifactorial and have complex etiologies involving genetic, biological, environmental, and psychosocial factors.
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