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 D
Explanation
D Tertiary prevention aims to minimize the impact of an existing illness or condition and prevent further complications or recurrence. In the context of substance use disorder, providing information on drug rehabilitation facilities aligns with tertiary prevention strategies.
A. This intervention is more aligned with primary or secondary prevention strategies aimed at preventing substance use disorder or addressing risk factors before the onset of the disorder. B This intervention is focused on screening for a potential complication or comorbidity associated with substance use disorder rather than providing treatment or support for the disorder itself.
C- Secondary prevention
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
B. Mental illnesses are primarily diagnosed through clinical assessments, interviews, and observation of symptoms by mental health professionals. While laboratory tests may be used to rule out other medical conditions that could mimic psychiatric symptoms or to monitor the effects of medication, they are not typically used as primary screening tools for mental illness.
A. Regular physical examinations are important for overall health and may help identify physical conditions that could contribute to or coexist with mental health symptoms. However, physical examinations alone are not sufficient for diagnosing mental illness.
C. There are known risk factors associated with the development of various mental health conditions.
D. There are no specific blood tests that can definitively diagnose most mental health disorders. Blood tests may be used to rule out physical conditions that could be contributing to symptoms or to monitor medication levels, but they are not direct diagnostic tools for mental illness.
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