A registered nurse observes a fellow staff member administering a medication to a patient but failing to perform hand hygiene before or after the procedure. Additionally, the staff member appears distracted, stumbling over their words, and demonstrating unsteady hands. What is the BEST action for the nurse to take?
Wait to see if there are ongoing mistakes before taking any further action.
Confront the staff member and instruct them to perform hand hygiene.
Discuss the observation with coworkers to gather opinions before deciding on a course of action.
Report the observed behaviors to the charge nurse.
The correct answer is to report the observed behaviors to the charge nurse. This action ensures the observed unsafe practice and potential impairment are properly addressed in accordance with institutional policies. Confrontation may lead to tension or an unproductive interaction that does not address the root issue, and waiting to take action places the patient at further risk. Similarly, discussing the observation with coworkers breaches professionalism and does not prompt effective intervention.
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