Question

A nurse has asked a second nurse to sign for a wasted narcotic. The waste was not witnessed by the second nurse. What is the appropriate initial action?

A
Report the situation immediately to the nurse manager or nursing supervisor Correct Answer (Blank)
B
Counsel the colleague about this risky behavior
C
Confront the nurse about suspected drug use
D
Sign the narcotic sheet then document the event in an incident report

Answer 1

The appropriate initial action is to report the incident immediately to the nurse manager or nursing supervisor.

Step-by-step explanation:

The appropriate initial action for the second nurse in this situation is to report the incident immediately to the nurse manager or nursing supervisor.

Reporting this incident is necessary as it involves a potential breach in the medication handling process, which could compromise patient safety. The nurse who was asked to sign for the wasted narcotic did not witness the waste, raising concerns about medication security and proper documentation.

By reporting the situation, the nurse ensures that the incident is properly documented and investigated, allowing for appropriate actions to be taken to prevent any further risks or potential drug diversion.