A newly licensed nurse is attending an educational session about legal issues in nursing.
Applying physical restraints to prevent a client from leaving an acute care setting against medical advice is an example of which of the following?

Choice B rationale

The immediate priority following a medication error, even without harm, is to notify the prescribing provider. This allows the provider to assess the situation, determine if any interventions are necessary for the client, and make informed decisions about the client's ongoing care. Prompt communication ensures client safety and facilitates timely adjustments.

Choice A rationale

Documenting the error in the client's medical record is crucial for legal and professional accountability, and for continuity of care. However, it should occur after the provider has been notified and any immediate client safety concerns have been addressed. The initial focus is on client well-being and assessment.

Choice C rationale

Contacting risk management is an important step in the institutional process for addressing errors, facilitating analysis and prevention of future incidents. However, direct notification of the provider takes precedence because it directly impacts the client's immediate care and allows for prompt clinical assessment and decision-making regarding the client's condition.

Choice D rationale

Completing an incident report is a procedural step for internal tracking, analysis, and quality improvement. While essential for organizational learning and preventing recurrence, it is secondary to ensuring the immediate safety and clinical management of the client by notifying the provider first.

Choice A rationale

Open and honest communication is a cornerstone of effective team collaboration. It fosters trust, transparency, and shared understanding among team members, enabling them to effectively exchange information, discuss client needs, and make collective decisions. Without it, miscommunication and fragmented care are likely to occur.

Choice B rationale

Involving the client as a team member is crucial for client-centered care. This ensures that the care plan aligns with the client's values, preferences, and goals, empowering them in their own healthcare journey and enhancing the effectiveness of interventions. Their perspective is invaluable to holistic care planning.

Choice C rationale

Promoting personal goals first contradicts the principle of collaboration, which emphasizes shared goals and collective responsibility for the client's well-being. Individual team members prioritizing their own agendas over the unified purpose of the team can lead to fragmentation of care, conflicts, and suboptimal outcomes for the client.

Choice D rationale

Respect for individual differences, including varying professional perspectives, expertise, and communication styles, is vital for a functional interprofessional team. Acknowledging and valuing these differences allows for a richer exchange of ideas and a more comprehensive approach to problem-solving, fostering a positive and inclusive team environment.

Choice E rationale

Dependence on electronic communication alone can hinder effective team collaboration. While electronic communication is a valuable tool, it lacks the nuances of face-to-face interaction, which can be essential for complex discussions, emotional support, and building strong interpersonal relationships within the team. A balanced approach is often most effective. .