Final answer:
The nurse should first assess the client's apical pulse to monitor for adverse effects. Then, the nurse should notify the provider of the error. Completing an incident report is also necessary. The correct option is C .
Step-by-step explanation:
When a nurse realizes that she administered the wrong dose of medication to a client, it is essential to take immediate action to ensure the client's safety. In this scenario, the nurse administered digoxin 0.25 mg instead of the prescribed digoxin 0.125 mg. The first action the nurse should take is to assess the client's apical pulse. This is done to monitor the client's heart rate as digoxin is a medication that affects heart function. By assessing the client's apical pulse, the nurse can determine if any adverse effects have occurred due to the higher dose of digoxin.
After assessing the client's apical pulse, the nurse should notify the provider of the error. The provider needs to be informed so that they can provide further guidance and determine the appropriate course of action. It is important to communicate the mistake promptly to ensure proper intervention.
Completing an incident report is also necessary, but it should be done after assessing the client's condition and notifying the provider. The incident report is used to document the medication error and analyze the factors contributing to it, helping identify strategies for preventing similar errors in the future.