Final answer:
The nurse manager should offer counseling and support for rehabilitation to the chemically impaired nurse, considering state laws and hospital policy. Reporting to the nursing board and keeping confidentiality are also important but depend on specifics of the incident.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a nurse manager sends home a nurse who is chemically impaired, the most appropriate action to take would be to offer counseling and support for rehabilitation. A chemically impaired nurse is dealing with an illness, and it is important to handle the situation with care and professionalism. While reporting the incident to the nursing board might be necessary according to state laws and hospital policy, it is done with the consideration of the incident's details and any legal obligations. Immediate termination of the nurse's employment may or may not be warranted based on the circumstances and the policies of the healthcare facility. Keeping the incident confidential could be important too, but it should not prevent the nurse manager from taking appropriate actions to ensure patient safety and the nurse's well-being.