A charge nurse observes a client fall while ambulating with an assistive personnel and notes that the client's gait belt was not in place. When reviewing the incident report, the charge nurse finds that the report does not mention the gait belt. Which of the following ethical principles should the charge nurse follow?

Choice A reason: This is not the correct choice because requesting orientation to the medical-surgical unit is not the first action the nurse should take. Orientation is a process that takes time and planning, and it may not be feasible or necessary for a temporary assignment. The nurse should first ensure that they are competent to perform the tasks and procedures required on the medical-surgical unit.

Choice B reason: This is not the correct choice because referring to the assigned resource nurse regarding client assignments is not the first action the nurse should take. The resource nurse is a person who can provide guidance and support to the nurse during the shift, but they are not responsible for determining the nurse's competencies or assigning clients. The nurse should first communicate with the charge nurse, who is the leader of the unit and has the authority to assign clients according to the nurse's skills and experience.

Choice C reason: This is not the correct choice because informing the nursing supervisor of the lack of experience on the medical-surgical unit is not the first action the nurse should take. The nursing supervisor is a person who can oversee the staffing and operations of the nursing units, but they are not directly involved in the clinical care of the clients or the education of the staff. The nurse should first consult with the charge nurse, who can assess the nurse's competencies and provide appropriate resources and education.

Choice D reason: This is the correct choice because clarifying competencies with the medical-surgical charge nurse is the first action the nurse should take. The charge nurse is a person who can evaluate the nurse's skills and knowledge, assign clients according to the nurse's level of expertise, and provide orientation and training as needed. The nurse should be honest and proactive in communicating their competencies and learning needs to the charge nurse.

Choice A reason: Notifying staff of the increased fall rate is not the first action that the nurse should take, as it does not address the root cause of the problem or the possible solutions. The nurse should inform the staff of the fall rate after conducting a thorough analysis and developing a plan of action.

Choice B reason: Identifying clients who are at risk for falls is the first action that the nurse should take, as it helps to determine the scope and severity of the problem and the factors that contribute to it. The nurse should use a valid and reliable tool to assess the fall risk of each client and document the findings.

Choice C reason: Reviewing current literature regarding client falls is not the first action that the nurse should take, as it does not provide specific information about the facility's situation or the client's needs. The nurse should review the literature after identifying the clients who are at risk for falls and before implementing a fall prevention plan.

Choice D reason: Implementing a fall prevention plan is not the first action that the nurse should take, as it requires evidence-based interventions and evaluation methods that are tailored to the facility's context and the client's characteristics. The nurse should implement a fall prevention plan after reviewing the current literature and obtaining approval from the stakeholders.