Answer:
If the nurse realizes that she has missed a medication dose, the first step is to give the missed medication as soon as possible. In this scenario, the nurse administered the medication immediately upon realizing the error and assessed the client, who was not harmed by the delay.
The next action the nurse should take is to document the error and the corrective action taken in the client's medical record. This documentation should include the medication name, dosage, time it was due, and the time it was actually given. The nurse should also document the assessment findings after giving the medication.
Additionally, the nurse should report the medication error to the appropriate supervisor or manager in accordance with the facility's policies and procedures. This may involve filling out an incident report or notifying the healthcare provider. The nurse should be transparent and honest about the error and take responsibility for it.
Finally, the nurse should reflect on the incident and identify any potential causes of the error, such as distractions or miscommunication, and take steps to prevent similar errors from occurring in the future. This may involve implementing new processes or procedures, such as double-checking medication orders or using medication administration records to ensure timely medication administration.