Question

The nurse begins a shift ad finds that the wrong medication has been administered to a client. After completing a safety event report, what should the nurse do next?

a. File the safety event report in the appropriate file and document in the nurse's notes the date and time that it was filed
b. Make a copy of the safety event report for the client
c. Place the safety event report in the client's medical record for future reference
d. Submit the safety report to the appropriate department within the facility so that it can be reviewed

Answer 1

After completing a safety event report due to the wrong medication being administered, the nurse should submit it to the appropriate department within the healthcare facility for review.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a nurse discovers that the wrong medication has been administered to a client, the priority is to ensure the safety and well-being of the patient. After filling out a safety event report, the next step the nurse should take is d. Submit the safety report to the appropriate department within the facility so that it can be reviewed. This process allows for the incident to be formally analyzed, ensures the implementation of corrective actions if necessary, and enhances the overall safety environment of the healthcare setting. The safety event report is typically not filed in the client's medical record nor is it given to the client; its purpose is to inform the internal mechanisms of the healthcare provider about potential safety issues. It is important to note, maintaining transparency throughout this process, while also following the facility's protocols, is crucial for patient trust and legal compliance.