The charge nurse reviews actions taken after a client received the wrong medication dose. Which actions require follow-up? Highlight the actions that do not support a safe adverse-event response.
Highlight in Table
Choose your responses, then check the answer.
Explanation
Delaying assessment, documenting speculation and blame, and withholding a report until harm appears require follow-up. The immediate priorities are client care, factual communication, prompt reporting, and system learning.
Quick answer Highlight delaying the client assessment, writing an unverified blame statement, and waiting for visible harm before reporting. Each action interferes with a timely, factual, learning-focused response.
Why this is correct The client must be assessed and stabilized before administrative tasks. Event communication and charting should state known clinical facts, not guesses about who caused the error. Reporting should begin promptly because an event can reveal a dangerous system gap even when harm is not yet obvious.[2][3]
Easy analogy or mental picture Picture two parallel rails: one rail protects the client now, and the other helps the system learn. Delaying care breaks the first rail; blame or silence breaks the second. The image does not replace local reporting policy.
Memory hook Care first, facts only, report promptly, learn together.
NCLEX decision rule When an error occurs, first assess and stabilize the client, then notify and report through the approved process using objective facts. Do not delay care, speculate about fault, or wait for injury before activating safety review.
Why the other choices are wrong Stabilizing the client, preserving relevant materials, explaining known facts, filing the event report, charting the assessment and response, and examining system contributors all support safe care and improvement.
References
[1]
NCSBN: 2026 NCLEX-RN Test PlanNational Council of State Boards of Nursing
[2]
AHRQ: CANDOR Event ChecklistAgency for Healthcare Research and Quality
[3]
AHRQ: CANDOR Disclosure ChecklistAgency for Healthcare Research and Quality